Sofia Martinez
Plastic in the human bloodstream is a shocking reality. Research has confirmed the presence of microplastics in human blood, with studies finding these particles in over 75% of tested donors. This discovery is a stark reminder of the pervasive harm of plastics and raises concerns about potential health risks. While the specific consequences are yet to be fully understood, there is growing evidence that microplastics can cause endocrine disruption, leading to a range of health issues. The presence of plastic in our blood underscores the urgent need to reduce our reliance on plastics and transition towards a more sustainable future.
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics are found in human blood
Microplastics have been detected in human blood, with scientists finding the particles in almost 80% of people tested. This discovery shows that microplastics can travel throughout the body and may lodge in organs. While the impact on human health is not yet fully understood, researchers are concerned as microplastics have been shown to cause damage to human cells in laboratory settings.
The presence of microplastics in the human bloodstream was first reported in March 2022 by researchers in the Netherlands. The study analyzed blood samples from 22 anonymous donors and found plastic particles in 17 of the samples. This finding confirmed that the microscopic plastic particles we ingest through food, water, and breathing can enter the bloodstream.
Microplastics have been detected in the placentas of pregnant women, and in pregnant rats, they were found to pass rapidly through the lungs into the hearts, brains, and other organs of the fetuses. There is also evidence that microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone regulation and leading to a range of health issues, including fertility problems, metabolic issues, and autoimmune diseases.
While the full extent of the health risks posed by microplastics in the bloodstream is not yet known, the discovery underscores the need to reduce our exposure to single-use plastics and take steps to limit our consumption of plastic-containing products. It also highlights the importance of further research to understand the potential long-term effects of microplastics on human health and the environment.
The finding of microplastics in human blood serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and the urgent need to address it. It is clear that plastic pollution is not just a litter problem but a pervasive pollutant that is harming the environment and human health.
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Plastics can enter the body through food, drink, and air
Plastic has been found in human blood samples, with one study finding plastic particles in the blood of 17 out of 22 Netherlands-based donors. This is the first time scientists have discovered microplastics in our blood.
Plastics can enter the human body through food, drink, and air. Microplastics have been found in everyday fruits and vegetables, with wheat and lettuce plants observed to take up microplastic particles in the lab. Sewage sludge can contain microplastics from personal care products and washing machines, which is used to fertilize agricultural lands. Microplastics can enter the soil and water, meaning plants and animals are exposed, and as we eat plants and animals, the microplastics enter our bodies. We also directly consume microplastics when we buy, cook, and eat food and drinks wrapped in plastic.
Microplastics are also present in the air, both indoors and outdoors, and are inhaled. They can enter the air through tyre dust or textile fibres, with synthetic fibres such as polyester or acrylic releasing tiny microfibres.
Microplastics can also be ingested by babies through breast milk and the use of plastic feeding bottles and teething toys.
The presence of microplastics in the human body is a cause for concern, with studies showing that microplastic exposure can cause cell death, inflammation, and metabolic disorders.
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Plastics can cause health issues, including endocrine disruption
Research has found microplastic particles in human blood samples, confirming that humans have plastics in their bloodstream. While the specific health consequences of this discovery are not yet known, the presence of plastics in the human bloodstream is yet another proof of the harm caused by plastic pollution.
Plastics are known to contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the body's hormone systems, potentially causing a range of health issues. These chemicals can leach from plastic food packaging and storage containers into the food we eat, and we are also exposed to them through the oil in our sweat and the air we breathe.
EDCs have been linked to various health issues, including fertility issues, blood sugar imbalances, metabolic issues, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, growth problems, and cancer. They have also been associated with preterm birth, disruptions in insulin function, and reduced IQ in children.
In addition to the health risks, EDC exposure is also an environmental justice issue, particularly impacting communities in the global south that receive toxic plastic waste shipments from wealthier nations.
To reduce our exposure to EDCs and other harmful chemicals in plastics, individuals can make small changes such as avoiding single-use plastics, using reusable containers, and reducing seafood intake.
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Plastics are a pervasive pollutant
Plastic pollution is a global problem. Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans, rivers, and lakes. Synthetic plastics are largely non-biodegradable, and lightweight single-use plastic products and packaging materials, which account for approximately 50% of all plastics produced, are often improperly disposed of at or near the location where they are used. Landscapes littered by plastic packaging have become common in many parts of the world, and plastic pollution has been found even at the highest peaks of the Alps and Himalayas, in Antarctic ice, and in soils.
The environmental, social, economic, and health risks of plastics need to be assessed alongside other environmental stressors like climate change, ecosystem degradation, and resource use. Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change, directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being.
Plastics affect people and the environment at each stage of their lifecycle – extraction of fossil fuels, production, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal. The impacts are felt in a wide range of areas, including biodiversity, climate change, human health, and human rights. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, workers in the informal waste sector, and marginalized communities, are particularly exposed, thus raising concerns of human rights and environmental injustice.
In 2022, researchers in the Netherlands found microscopic plastic particles in the human bloodstream for the first time. While the health impacts of plastics are still a rather new research area, scientific results to date do indicate that plastic causes diseases, disabilities, and premature death at every stage of its life cycle. The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health on a global scale. Humans are exposed to a large variety of toxic chemicals and microplastics through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. According to WWF, an average person could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic every week.
Microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they behave like hormones in our bodies, confusing our regulating hormones. When our hormone balance is off, it could lead to fertility issues, blood sugar imbalances, metabolic issues, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, growth problems, and much more. Microplastics may also contribute to cancer.
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Ways to reduce plastic exposure
Research has found plastic particles in human blood samples, with one study finding plastic in the blood of more than three-fourths of the Netherlands-based donors who participated. This is yet another proof that we produce and consume too much plastic, and that our plastic-soaked lifestyle is harming the essence of life on Earth. While we can't eliminate our microplastic exposure, we can take steps to lessen our exposure and reduce our plastic footprint. Here are some ways to reduce plastic exposure:
Avoid single-use plastics
Single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles, grocery bags, and food packaging, contribute significantly to plastic pollution. Instead of using plastic water bottles, opt for a glass, steel, or reusable water bottle and drink filtered tap water. Bring your own reusable cloth bags when grocery shopping, and choose products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging.
Reduce consumption of high-fat and fast foods
Some research has found higher levels of plasticizers in high-fat foods. Plasticizers are often used in vinyl products, and vinyl gloves are commonly worn by people preparing fast food. Opt for fresh, minimally processed foods, and include more unpackaged fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Choose sustainable clothing
Synthetic clothing made from materials like polyester is a significant contributor to microplastics. When possible, choose eco-friendly and sustainable clothing made from natural materials such as cotton, silk, wool, hemp, or other natural fibers. Buying second-hand clothes is also a good option, as new clothing sheds more microfibers than clothes that have been previously washed and worn.
Support organizations working to eliminate single-use plastics
We can support organizations and initiatives working to reduce plastic pollution and find healthier alternatives. This includes advocating for policy changes to address the health risks posed by certain chemicals and plasticizers.
Reduce plastic exposure for children
If you have small children, avoid heating their bottles in the microwave. Use a non-plastic container to heat their formula and then transfer it to the bottle. Choose BPA-free toys and goods, as BPA is one of the most harmful types of plastics. Opt for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, or wool instead of synthetic fabrics that may contain plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, microplastics have been found in the human bloodstream.
Microplastics can enter the human body through food and drink, the air we breathe, and even from the rain.
The health risks of microplastics in the bloodstream are not yet fully understood. However, studies suggest that microplastics can cause cell death, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. They may also act as endocrine disruptors, leading to fertility issues, blood sugar imbalances, and autoimmune diseases.
