Scientists first discovered the presence of microplastics in human blood. A study published in the journal International Environment and reported by Guardian details the presence of polymer particles in the blood.
After analyzing samples from 22 adults, scientists found traces of PET, polystyrene and polyethylene in the blood of 17 of them. Of all, PET was the most important, present in half of the cases. In some participants, up to three types of microplastics were detected in their bodies.
The study considered five high volume polymers: polypropylene, polymerized styrene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate and polyethylene terephthalate. The researchers based their methodology on previous work and considered particles between 700 nanometers and 0.514 millimeters.
Research from the Vrije University of Amsterdam supports the hypothesis that human exposure to plastic particles leads to their absorption into the bloodstream.
From toothpaste to tattoo ink
According to Professor Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije University in Amsterdam, the study is the first indication of polymer particles in the blood.
Actual results vary greatly from individual to individual and other factors may have an influence. It is possible that the donors were exposed to the microparticles before the test simply by drinking water or coffee from a plastic container.
It is also specified that the concentration of particles reported in the study is the sum of all potential routes of exposure. Contact with microplastics can occur through mucous membranes (inhalation or ingestion), environmental contamination and, in some specific cases, through dermal absorption if the skin is damaged.
Researchers mention personal care products such as toothpaste, which includes polyethylene, or the PET of lip gloss. The plastic is present in fragments of dental implants or in polymeric nanoparticles used in drugs for the central nervous system.
The tattoo ink residue are considered because they contain acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. ABS is a polymer used in electronic and automotive components and famous LEGO blocks. The study supports the hypothesis that human exposure to plastic particles leads to their absorption into the bloodstream.
What are microplastics and why are they dangerous?
Microplastics are particles between 1 and 5 millimeters that result from the decomposition of waste, or medicines and products that contain them. Because plastic does not biodegrade, disintegrates into small pieces which are taken up by humans, animals and other organisms.
The particles are present in the oceans, the air we breathe, and even in places we never imagined (like the fresh water of Antarctica). A study by the University of Alicante revealed microplastics in salt extracted from the salt mines of the Spanish coast. A high concentration of microparticles was also detected in the skies of London, Paris and Hamburg.
Even if the impact of microplastics requires careful analysis, Vethaak warns of the danger we face. The academic mentioned that the particles can be transported to organs through the bloodstream.
A previous study has shown that microplastics such as polystyrene (and probably polypropylene) can permeate placental tissue. Other research has shown that polystyrene microparticles accumulate in the liver, kidneys and intestines of certain rodents and earthworms.
