Detecting microplastics in human blood

News: A recent study confirmed the presence of microplastics in human blood.

What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny bits of various types of plastic found in the environment in various places – the oceans or the environment. There is no universal agreement on its size. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines microplastic as less than 5 mm in length.

What were the key results of the study?

The study found that 77% of tested people (17 of the 22 persons) carried various amounts of microplastics above the limit of quantification. In 50% of the samples, the researchers detected polyethylene tetraphthalate (PET), which is used to make food grade bottles.

What is the significance of the study?

Owing to the small size of participants, the study results cannot be taken as such to mould policy etc., but the power of research is in demonstrating that a possibility of finding microplastics in the blood exists.

Does the presence of microplastics in blood have a health impact?

It is not yet clear if these microplastics can cross over from the bloodstream to deposit in organs and cause diseases. The authors point out that the human placenta has shown to be permeable to tiny particles of polystyrene.

Studies have shown that oral administration of microplastics in rats led to accumulation of these in the liver, kidney and gut.

Further studies need to be carried out to really assess the impact of plastics on humans.

Source: This post is created based on the article “Detecting microplastics in human blood” published in The Hindu on 29^th March 2022. The Hindu