Building Alliances: Subject Research

The Research lead of my group has assigned each of us an area of research relating to our game's subject matter to look into. My area of research is: "What effect do Microplastics have on the Human Body?" As such, I will look into this topic and evaluate how what I have researched will influence the designs I produce for our project. I will additionally share this research with the group and similarly allow their topics of research to influence what I produce.

What effect do Microplastics have on the Human Body?

Plastic pollution less than five millimetres in diameter is known as Microplastic, tiny sheared forms of large plastic masses that have been eroded or abrased away from a surface through environmental exposure. This exposure breaks the chemical bonds of the larger plastic mass and creates Microplastics, which dissipate across the environment (Sazakli and Leotsinidis 2019).

This ultimately results in humans coming into contact with Microplastics, which enter the food chain and are then consumed and introduced into the human body.

Chemical structures of BPA and other polymers. 

 (Hugo, R., 2015)

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a plastic prolific in the food packaging industry that binds to hormone receptors and disrupts the endocrine system as a result (Yuan, M., and others, 2023). Studies show that this disruption can cause hormonal issues in the reproductive system that impact the function of ovaries and the uterus, as well as degrading sperm quality in men (Siracusa, J. S., and others, 2018). As such, due to studies raising fears of the plastic being toxic to the endocrine system, the United States Food and Drug Administration ultimately banned the use of BPA polymers in food packaging designed for toddlers and young children. This did not, however, stop the plastic being used in drink can lining and food containers, with exposure to BPA remaining common (Raloff, J., 2012). 

Other types of Microplastics are known as being toxic to the human body. For example, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is carcinogenic, with the hazard of causing cancers in the body (Blackburn, K., Green, D., 2021). Microplastics can bear carcinogenic effects due to their small scale, being able to "infiltrate cells, (sic) disrupt biological processes." (Kumar, N., and others, 2024). This damage can then accumulate into cancerous developments. Cancers can develop around regions of the body where Microplastics enter, such as in the lungs, skin and digestive tract. Microplastics can then put stress upon cells, damaging DNA and exacerbating cancer risks, all whilst acting as potential carriers for other pollutants that are similarly hazardous. (Kumar, N., and others, 2024).

How will this influence what I produce?

Looking into how exactly Microplastics influence the human body, another potential route for designing the Microplastic enemies in our project becomes clear. In our game, we are interpreting the Microplastics as an enemy force that the player combats. Different Microplastics could have different effects on the player units and the environment, and these different mechanics could be reflected in the design of the Microplastic enemies. For example, some enemies may act as "carriers" or "drop-ships" of a sort, carrying heavy metals into the body and depositing them like walls to stop player units. Other Microplastic enemies, almost like the BPA plastics I have researched into, may crawl towards hormone receptors and latch onto them like parasites, influencing the level and improving the Microplastic enemies if successful.

This theming can be reflected in the design of Microplastic enemies. This research matter has shown that Microplastics can be hazardous when within the body, almost alien when compared to the cells and bacteria typically found in the human body environment. As such, a potential source of inspiration when designing the Microplastic enemies may be that of parasitic lifeforms, such as parasitic isopods, fleas and helminths. I believe that this could help in showing a clear divide between the Microplastic enemies and the otherwise abstract, microscopic landscape they exist within: they could look like ants crawling across the environment and polluting it, damaging the cells that the player seeks to protect. 

The above moodboard shows a variety of lifeforms that I feel could serve to be good visual inspiration for the design of Microplastic enemies in our project. I chose these as many of them bear parasitic qualities, leeching off other lifeforms (often in a manner detrimental to their health) to survive. I believe that this inspiration could be abstractified somewhat, with Microplastic enemies bearing qualities of these animals whilst retaining an abstract or otherwise alien form, perhaps based on the polymer chains that form plastic substances. I feel this could come together to create a unique visual look that appears stark when compared to the otherwise fleshy environments of the game.

Bibliography:

Articles:
Blackburn, K., Green, D., 2021. The potential effects of microplastics on human health: What is known and what is unknown. Ambio [online], 51. Available via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8800959/ [Accessed 9 October 2024]

Janet, R., 2012. FDA bans BPA in baby bottles, cups. ScienceNews [online]. Available at: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-the-public/fda-bans-bpa-baby-bottles-cups [Accessed 9 October 2024]

Kumar, N., Lamba, M., Pachar, A. K., Yadav, S., Acharya, A., 2024. Microplastics – A Growing Concern as Carcinogens in Cancer Etiology: Emphasis on Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics. Available via: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12013-024-01436-0 [Accessed 9 October 2024]

Siracusa, J. S., Yin, L., Measel, E., Liang, S., Yu, X., 2018. Effects of bisphenol A and its analogs on reproductive health: A mini review. Reproductive Toxicology, 79. Available via: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089062381730182X [Accessed 9 October 2024]

Yuan, M., Chen, S., Zeng, C., Fan, Y., Ge, W., Chen, W., 2023. Estrogenic and non-estrogenic effects of bisphenol A and its action mechanism in the zebrafish model: An overview of the past two decades of work. Environmental Internation [online], 126. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023002490 [Accessed 9 October 2024]

Books:
Sazakli, E., Leotsinidis, M.,  2019. Possible effects of microplastics on human health. In: Karapanagioti, H. K., Kalavrouziotis, L. K., ed. Microplastics in water and wastewater. London: IWA Publishing, pp. 177-191

Images:
Hugo R, 2015. Chemical structures of BPA and other polymers [online image]. Researchgate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Chemical-structures-of-BPA-and-BPS-and-the-corresponding-polymers-polycarbonate-and-PES_fig1_315928033 [Accessed 9 October 2024]