Microplastics in human blood

2022 - 3 - 24

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Phys.Org"

Scientists find microplastics in blood for first time (Phys.Org)

Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, warning that the ubiquitous particles could also be making their way into ...

Excreted? Or is it retained in certain organs, accumulating maybe, or is it even able to pass the blood-brain barrier?" "After all blood links all the organs of our body and if plastic is there, it could be anywhere in us." Vethaak also said there could be other kinds of microplastics in blood his study did not pick up—for example, it could not detect particles larger than the diameter of the needle used to take the sample.

Microplastics Found In Human Blood (WebMD)

A new study shows that microplastics from beverage bottles, packaged food, and plastic bags were detected for the first time in human blood.

Polyethylene, used for grocery and garbage bags, was discovered in 23 percent of samples. Polystyrene, commonly used in the food-service industry as disposable utensils, cups and containers, was found in 36 percent of the samples. PET plastic, used primarily for soft drinks, juices and water, was found in 50 percent of the samples.

Microplastics found in human blood for first time, scientists say (CTV News)

Researchers in the Netherlands have detected microplastics for the first time in human blood, with the tiny plastic particles from food wrappers and ...

However, the study's authors say just the mere presence of microplastics in blood is concerning. Researchers report that PET plastic, which is used primarily for bottling soft drinks, juices and water, was found in 50 per cent of the study participants. Researchers say the findings support "the hypothesis that human exposure to plastic particles results in absorption of particles into the bloodstream."

Microplastics discovered in human blood for the first time (Business Insider)

Scientists say they're in the dark on the health impacts of microplastics circulating the human body.

And the outcomes of that exposure are, right now, unknown." There are still smaller sizes of plastic particles that the new study couldn't measure. It's both unclear what a safe concentration of blood plastic might be, and what the health impacts of too much plastic are. Of 22 healthy adults in a Dutch study, published Thursday in the journal Environment International, 17 had plastic particles in their blood. Other research has discovered plastic in infant and adult poop, but that's just particles that pass through the digestive system without getting absorbed. Another study, from 2021, estimates that the average person ingests a credit card's worth of plastic each week.

Microplastics found in human blood for first time (The Guardian)

The discovery shows the particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs. The impact on health is as yet unknown. But researchers are concerned as ...

“Are the particles retained in the body? People were already known to consume the tiny particles via food and water as well as breathing them in, and they have been found in the faeces of babies and adults. Vethaak acknowledged that the amount and type of plastic varied considerably between the blood samples. The scientists analysed blood samples from 22 anonymous donors, all healthy adults and found plastic particles in 17. The discovery shows the particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs. But researchers are concerned as microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory and air pollution particles are already known to enter the body and cause millions of early deaths a year.

Microplastics in human blood: what are they, what do findings mean ... (NationalWorld)

Get all of the latest Health news from NationalWorld. Providing fresh perspective online for news across the UK.

We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on sign up to our newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. Are the particles retained in the body? This campaign provides a large and unique grassroots dataset for the UK government, as clear evidence that urgent action is needed now.” “The big question is what is happening in our body? Plastic pollution is a major environmental concern, with microplastics - minuscule fragments of the material - found in rivers and oceans around the world, and even at the top of Mount Everest.