Microplastics could be a factor in driving up cases of osteoporosis worldwide, according to recently published research. The study reveals that when these tiny plastic particles enter the body, they disrupt the functioning of bone marrow stem cells, which are essential for maintaining and repairing bone tissue. This leads to bones weakening over time and becoming more likely to fracture. This new analysis, published in the journal Osteoporosis International, adds exposure to microplastics as a potential new risk factor. “The potential impact of microplastics on bones is the subject of scientific studies and isn’t negligible.”