Microplastics do exist in the human circulatory system

A research team led by ecotoxicologist Heather Leslie and analytical chemist Marja Lamoree has shown for the first time that microplastics from our living environment are also present in humans' circulatory system
.
The results of the research project, called Immunoplast, appeared in March in the scientific journal Environment International
.

The research team, comprising researchers from the University of Amsterdam, Deltares and the University of Amsterdam Medical School, developed an analytical method to determine trace levels of microplastic and nanoplastic particles in human blood
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The method was applied to the blood of 22 anonymous blood donors
.
The researchers tested the blood to determine and quantify the quality of five high-yield polymers (PMMA, PP, PS, PE, and PET) that are commonly used in plastic materials
.

About 77 percent of blood donors (17 of 22) had measurable amounts of plastic particles in their blood
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The most common plastic is PET, followed by PS, PE and PMMA
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But the levels were low, averaging 1.
6 micrograms per milliliter of blood — the equivalent of one teaspoon of plastic per 1,000 liters of blood
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PP was also found in it, but its concentration was too low to accurately measure the value
.

The microplastics detected in the blood were likely ingested or inhaled, the researchers wrote, because skin absorption of the fine particles is impossible unless the skin is damaged
.

The researchers concluded that the fate of microplastics in blood requires further research to answer questions about potential accumulation in the general population and occupationally exposed workers, environmental factors leading to internal exposure, and possible toxicological and human health effects under different exposure scenarios.
problem
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For example, it's unclear how easily these particles can get from the circulatory system into organs, and whether they cause any health effects there
.

Marja Lamoree said: "This is the first data set we have obtained and must be studied in depth to understand how far plastic pollution spreads in the human body and the harm it can cause
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With this finding, we can determine whether exposure to plastic particles is not a threat to public health
.
"

The project is one of 15 carried out within the microplastics and hygiene programme of the ZonMw Netherlands National Organization for Health Research and Development
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As ZonMw microplastics and health program manager Frank Pierik said: "We need to recognize that these are only initial findings
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There is still a long way to go before a proper risk assessment can be done
.
"

The Immunoplast research was funded by the Microplastics & Health project of the international NGO Common Seas and ZonMw
.