Omar Khalid
In 2018, scientists at the Medical University of Vienna found plastic in human stool samples for the first time. The study, conducted in partnership with the Environment Agency Austria, collected samples from eight participants across Europe and Asia. All of the samples tested positive for the presence of microplastics, with an average of 20 plastic particles found in every 10 grams of stool. The findings raised concerns about the potential health impacts of plastic ingestion and highlighted the pervasiveness of plastic pollution in our environment. While the exact sources of the plastic in the stool samples remain unknown, food packaging, drinking water, and consumption of seafood have been identified as possible contributors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of stool samples | 8 |
| Countries of origin | Austria, Italy, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, and the UK |
| Types of plastic found | Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
| Average number of plastic particles per sample | 20 |
| Plastic particle size range | 50 to 500 micrometers |
| Plastic particle size compared to human hair | 1/2 to 5 times thicker |
| Number of plastic types screened for | 10 |
| Number of plastic types detected | 9 |
| Food sources of plastic | Food wrapped in plastic, drinking from plastic bottles, seafood, salt, bottled water, soft drinks |
| Other sources of plastic | Air, household dust, plastic containers, packaging, nylon fibers from dryers |
| Potential health impacts | Unknown, further research needed |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics found in human stools for the first time
In 2018, microplastics were found in human stools for the first time. Austrian scientists from the Medical University of Vienna monitored and tested stool samples from eight participants from different countries, including Austria, Italy, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, and the United Kingdom. All of the samples tested positive for at least one form of microplastic, with nine different types discovered, ranging in size from 50 to 500 micrometers. The most common types found were polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which are major components of plastic bottles and caps. On average, 20 microplastic particles were found in every 10 grams of stool.
The study's lead researcher, Philipp Schwabl, a physician-scientist at the Medical University of Vienna, stated that the study confirmed the long-suspected notion that plastics ultimately reach the human gut. However, the sources of the plastic found in the stool samples remain unknown. The participants kept food diaries, which revealed that they were exposed to plastics through food wrapped in plastic or drinking from plastic bottles. Six out of eight participants consumed seafood, which has also been found to contain plastics.
The presence of microplastics in human stool raises concerns about its potential impact on human health. While the study did not find evidence of plastic accumulation in the body, Schwabl noted that the smallest microplastic particles could enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system and potentially reach the liver. The researchers called for further investigation into the health implications of microplastics in the human body.
The widespread presence of microplastics in the environment, including in the oceans, tap water, bottled water, and various consumer products, makes it challenging to avoid exposure. Detecting microplastics in human stool samples is a complex process, and the development of improved detection methods will aid in future research.
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The sources of plastic found in stool samples
The exact sources of the plastic found in stool samples are unknown. However, it is speculated that plastic particles are ingested through food and drinks. Food diaries of the participants in the study revealed that they were exposed to plastics by consuming food wrapped in plastic or drinking from plastic bottles. Six out of the eight participants also ate seafood.
Microplastics have been found in the gut of fish, tap water, oceans, flying insects, and soft drinks. They are also made up of fibers shed by synthetic fabrics and plastic beads added to some cosmetics.
Philipp Schwabl, a researcher at the Medical University of Vienna who led the study, said: "This is the first study of its kind and confirms what we have long suspected, that plastics ultimately reach the human gut. Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases."
Scientists are still unsure of the exact sources of the plastic found in stool samples, but the food logs submitted by subjects might provide some clues. Bettina Liebmann, a co-author of the study, said that detecting microplastics in poop is tricky, and that they spent weeks developing a method to break down organic matter in feces without affecting any microplastics.
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The methods used to detect microplastics in stool samples
Detecting microplastics in stool samples is a challenging task. Bettina Liebmann of the Environment Agency Austria and Philipp Schwabl of the Medical University of Vienna spent weeks developing a method to break down organic matter in faeces without affecting any microplastics. This isolation of plastic from the samples is achieved through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterisation and non-deformation of the microplastics. The procedure is optimised by observing extraction efficiency and compatibility.
The small study examined stool samples from eight participants across Europe and Asia, including countries like Poland, Russia, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, Austria, Finland, Italy, and more. The participants were instructed to minimise contamination from airborne fibres, a common challenge in microplastics research. The samples were analysed using a Fourier-transform infrared microspectrometer.
The researchers found microplastics in every sample, with an average of 20 particles of microplastic per 10 grams of excreta. The plastics ranged in size from 50 to 500 micrometres, with some particles as small as 50 micrometres, almost twice the diameter of a human skin cell. Up to nine different types of plastic polymers were detected, including polypropylene (bottle caps), polyethylene terephthalate (drink bottles), polystyrene (food containers), and PVC.
The presence of microplastics in stool samples suggests inadvertent ingestion from various sources. Food logs and diaries submitted by participants showed exposure to plastics through food packaged in plastic, drinking water from plastic bottles, and consuming seafood. The detection of microplastics in stool samples raises concerns about the potential impact on human health, especially for patients with gastrointestinal diseases.
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The potential health impacts of microplastics on the human body
Microplastics have been detected in human stool samples, confirming that humans are ingesting plastic particles. A study conducted by the Medical University of Vienna found plastic in stool samples from eight donors from different countries, including Poland, Russia, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, Austria, Finland, and Italy. Each sample contained an average of 20 particles of microplastics per quarter-pound of the sample, ranging in size from 50 to 500 microns.
The presence of microplastics in the human body raises concerns about potential health impacts. While scientists are still working to understand the exact sources of ingested microplastics, food logs from the subjects in the study indicated exposure through consuming food packaged in plastic or drinking from plastic bottles. Some participants also consumed seafood, which has been known to contain microplastics.
The health impacts of microplastics may include physical damage to the gut and other organs, as well as the introduction of chemical additives from plastics. Studies have shown that microplastics can induce toxic effects such as oxidative stress, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Additionally, microplastics have been linked to cytotoxicity, hypersensitivity, unwanted immune responses, and acute reactions like hemolysis.
The presence of microplastics in the human body is a complex issue, and further research is needed to fully understand their potential health impacts. While the World Health Organization (WHO) analysis suggests limited evidence of significant adverse health impacts, there are knowledge gaps in understanding the long-term effects of microplastic exposure. The impact of early exposure on infants and the development of embryos is also an area of concern that requires more attention.
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The ubiquity of microplastics in the environment
Microplastics, defined as particles smaller than 5mm, have been found in human stool samples, confirming suspicions that humans are consuming plastic particles. The study, conducted by Philipp Schwabl, a physician-scientist and researcher at the Medical University of Vienna, screened stool samples for 10 types of microplastics, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP). Nine out of 10 varieties were detected, with PET and PP being the most common. On average, the stool samples contained 20 particles of plastic per 10 grams of excreta, ranging in size from 50 to 500 micrometers.
The sources of the plastic found in the stool samples are unknown. Participants in the study kept food diaries, which revealed that they were exposed to plastics through consuming food wrapped in plastic or drinking from plastic bottles. Six of the participants consumed seafood, which is known to contain plastics. However, the plastic in the stool samples could have come from other sources, such as airborne fibers, tap and bottled water, table salt, or even beer.
The presence of microplastics in human stool samples raises concerns about the potential health impacts of plastic consumption. While the study did not focus on harm, future research will need to explore the possible negative consequences of microplastics on the human body, including physical damage to the gut or other organs, and the introduction of plastic chemical additives.
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Frequently asked questions
Scientists from the Medical University of Vienna and Environment Agency Austria conducted a study that found plastic in stool samples from eight donors from different countries. The samples were analysed using a Fourier-transform infrared microspectrometer, which allowed them to detect microplastics in the stool.
The researchers screened for ten types of plastic polymers, and nine were detected, including polypropylene (found in bottle caps), polyethylene terephthalate (drink bottles), polystyrene (food containers), and PVC.
The small study size of eight participants limits the ability to generalize the results, but the authors estimated that "more than 50% of the world population might have microplastics in their stools." Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm this.
The health impacts of microplastics in humans are not yet fully understood. However, researchers have hypothesized that microplastics may affect the digestive system's immune response or aid in the transmission of toxic chemicals and pathogens. Studies in animals have shown potential damage to reproductive systems and the liver. More research is needed to understand the specific effects on human health.
