UH Mānoa Awarded Grant for Infant Microplastics Study

The $3.3 million study will monitor 300 local families to track microplastic exposure and child development.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Babies

Gouache-painted illustration of a laboratory petri dish with crystalline particles and an organic shape, symbolizing environmental health research. — The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $3.3 million grant to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to study the impact of microplastic exposure on infant development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Institutes of Health awarded a $3.3 million grant to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for a five-year study on the impact of microplastics on infant development. Researchers will monitor 300 local families to analyze how exposure affects brain health and neurological function from the first trimester through infancy.

Why it matters

The study aims to determine if microplastic and PFAS exposure during pregnancy and early life influences critical child brain development, potentially informing future health policies. This research is particularly relevant to Honolulu given that Hawaii's per-capita seafood consumption is 1.8 times the U.S. average.

The study tracks 300 local families over five years to monitor infant neurological function and development. Microplastics are defined in the research as particles smaller than 5 millimeters.

The players

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

This public research university serves as the primary site for the study and is the lead institution for the new research initiative.

National Institutes of Health

As the primary agency of the U.S. government responsible for biomedical and public health research, it provided the funding for this project.

The details

Researchers will collect maternal blood, cord blood, and placenta samples to measure exposure levels while performing regular ultrasounds to track fetal brain development. Participating infants will undergo assessments for motor development, cognition, and language skills at 2, 6, and 12 months.

2 months: Initial neurological function assessment
6 months: Secondary neurological function assessment
12 months: Final neurological function assessment
5 years: Total duration of the research study

Culture Shift

This study reflects a growing societal shift toward investigating the impact of synthetic pollutants on early human development. As research into microplastics expands, it challenges existing understanding of environmental safety in the daily diets of island communities.

Local families participating in the study will contribute to data that may eventually shape regional health interventions and environmental policies. Residents can expect the findings to provide new clarity on the safety of seafood consumption and environmental exposure in the islands.

The takeaway

The research serves as a critical effort to quantify how pervasive plastic pollution affects early neurological growth in Hawaii. Participants will gain personalized insights into their children's development through structured testing at key early milestones.