Sofia Martinez
Microplastics, or minuscule plastic particles, are everywhere. They are found in the environment, in the air, water, food, and even in our bodies. Research has shown that microplastics have made their way into the human bloodstream and various organs, including the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, testicles, lungs, and placenta. While the health risks of microplastics are not yet fully understood, their presence in our bodies is a growing concern, and researchers are working to determine the potential impact on human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microplastics found in human blood | 77% of study participants |
| Microplastics found in human lungs | N/A |
| Microplastics found in human placenta | N/A |
| Microplastics found in human breast milk | N/A |
| Microplastics found in human stools | N/A |
| Microplastics found in human testicles | 100% of study participants |
| Microplastics found in human heart | N/A |
| Microplastics found in human kidney | N/A |
| Microplastics found in human liver | N/A |
| Average amount of plastic ingested by a person per week | 5 grams |
| Average amount of plastic particles ingested by a person per year | 50,000 particles |
| Percentage of commercially available food-grade table salt samples that contain microplastics | 90% |
| Number of chemicals associated with a single plastic product | 8,681 |
| Percentage of chemicals in plastic that are highly hazardous to human and environmental health | 26% |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics are found in human blood
Microplastics, or tiny plastic particles, are found almost everywhere on Earth. Scientists have detected microplastics in places as remote as the peak of Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench. They are also found in human blood, with potentially serious health implications.
In 2022, researchers in the Netherlands found microplastics in human blood for the first time. The study, published in Environment International, found plastic particles in the blood of 17 out of 22 participants, or about 77% of the study group. The participants were anonymous, healthy adults, and the plastics found were between 700 and 500,000 nanometers (nm) in size. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used in disposable water bottles, was the most common plastic polymer, found in about 50% of donors. This was followed by polystyrene (PS), used for food packaging and polystyrene foam, found in about 36% of donors.
The discovery of microplastics in human blood is concerning because it shows that these particles can travel throughout the body and may lodge in vital organs. Previous research has shown that microplastics can attach to the outer membranes of red blood cells, potentially impacting their ability to transport oxygen. They have also been found in the placentas of pregnant women, and in pregnant rats, they pass rapidly into the lungs, hearts, brains, and other organs of the foetuses. The long-term impact of microplastic exposure on human health is still largely unknown, but researchers are concerned. Dozens of studies have linked microplastic exposure to various adverse health effects, including lung inflammation, a higher risk of lung cancer, metabolic disorders, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, and decreased reproductive health.
The presence of microplastics in human blood highlights the urgent need for further research to understand the potential health risks associated with plastic pollution. It also underscores the importance of reducing plastic waste and finding alternatives to single-use plastics to minimize human exposure to these harmful particles.
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Plastic is in the human food chain
Microplastics enter the human body through polluted food, water, and air. They have been detected in fruits and vegetables, plastic water bottles, seafood, meat, and other commercially available foods. A study commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund suggested that the average person ingests about 5 grams of plastic every week, which is about the weight of a credit card. Another study found that up to 88% of plastic products can leach additives, and a single plastic product can contain up to 8,681 unique chemicals and additives.
The presence of microplastics in the human body is a growing concern, and researchers are working to understand the potential health risks. While the exact health effects are not yet clear, there are several red flags that call for further investigation. Chemicals often found in plastics are known to cause a variety of health problems, including cancers, metabolic disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and fertility issues. Studies have also shown that microplastics can cause negative effects in mice, even when the plastic particles do not contain any known toxic chemicals.
The pervasive nature of plastic pollution is evident, and it is clear that humans are constantly exposed to potentially harmful substances. The extent of the problem is likely to vary depending on people's diets and where they live. As more data comes in, researchers will be able to better understand the health risks associated with microplastics in the human food chain.
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Plastic is inhaled through the air
Plastic is everywhere, from the depths of the ocean to the peaks of mountains, and it is now clear that it is in us too. Research has shown that microscopic pieces of plastic have made their way into the human body, and one of the ways this happens is through inhaling the air we breathe.
The presence of microplastics in human lung tissue was demonstrated as early as the 1990s, when scientists investigating the lung tissue of cancer patients found plastic fibres. These researchers expressed concern that plastic fibres may contribute to the risk of lung cancer. Indeed, particle pollution has long been associated with damage to lung tissues, leading to asthma attacks and other health problems.
The concern is that plastic particles may persist in the lungs, especially in people with lung disease. Longer fibres appear to be more damaging, and if they remain in the lungs, they are likely to stay there for a long time because they are bio-persistent. This could cause inflammation, and smaller pieces can penetrate the body's defences. If the pieces are smaller than 10 micrometres, they can reach the alveoli, where oxygen reaches the blood. Here, they can linger for long periods, causing inflammation and potentially other chronic conditions.
The sources of plastic in the air are numerous. Plastic microfibres have been found in high concentrations in the air of big cities, but also in remote areas like the Arctic or the Swiss Alps. They can be shed by synthetic clothes, carpets, and upholstery. A study found that wearing polyester clothes releases as many microplastic fibres into the air as washing them.
The serious potential for long-range transport means that microplastics can affect locations and populations far from the sources of plastic pollution. As a result, microplastics are one of the most ubiquitous pollutants released by human activities, and they pose a grave public health issue.
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Plastic is in drinking water
Plastic has been found in human blood, hearts, testicles, and even in baby poop. Research has shown that microscopic pieces of plastic have made their way into the human body through polluted food, water, and air. A study commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund suggested that, on average, a person ingests about 5 grams of plastic every week, which is about the weight of a credit card.
Microplastics, defined as plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters in length, are formed from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products like single-use plastic bottles, food packages, and plastic pellets. These microplastics can further break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics, which are less than 1 μm in size and small enough to enter the body's cells and tissues.
Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water, whether from the tap or bottled. They may enter the water at the source, during treatment and distribution, or, in the case of bottled water, from its packaging. A study by researchers from Columbia University used lasers to detect hundreds of thousands of previously invisible tiny plastic particles in bottled water. Another study by a Chinese university team found a simple and effective means of removing nanoplastic particles from water through the process of boiling and filtering.
The potential health effects of these tiny plastic bits are still unknown. However, plastics have already been linked to changes in the gut microbiome and the body's antibiotic resistance. Researchers are racing to understand how much humans are exposed to microplastics and what levels are toxic.
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Plastic is harmful to human health
One of the main ways plastics harm human health is through exposure to the polymer itself, typically through the ingestion or inhalation of microplastics. These microplastics can irritate, inflame, and even puncture cells, especially in the intestine and lung, where they come into direct contact with thin, sensitive tissue. Inhaled particles can irritate and damage the lungs, similar to the harm caused by other particulate matter. Additionally, the composition of plastic particles varies, and some contain chemicals known to interfere with the body's hormones.
Another concern is the presence of toxic additives mixed with polymers to give plastics their colour, flexibility, or other properties. Over 16,000 chemicals are involved in plastic production, with more than 3,200 classified as "chemicals of concern." Some of these chemicals are highly toxic, including carcinogens, neurotoxicants, and endocrine disruptors. These additives can leach or migrate from plastic packaging into food and beverages, posing serious risks to human health. For example, bisphenol A and phthalates are known to migrate into food, and researchers have detected plastic particles in the human bloodstream.
Furthermore, burning or incinerating plastic waste releases toxic fumes and particulate matter into the air, contributing to air pollution and exacerbating respiratory issues such as asthma. The toxic substances released during plastic burning, such as dioxins and furans, are harmful to human health and the environment. Additionally, some individuals may develop allergic reactions to certain components in plastics, experiencing skin rashes, itching, and other allergic symptoms upon contact.
While the specific health risks associated with microplastics in the human body are still being investigated, the presence of plastic particles in vital organs, the bloodstream, and breast milk underscores the urgency of reducing plastic consumption and finding sustainable alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no clear answer to this question, microplastics have been found in human blood, with one study finding plastic in the blood of 77% of participants.
Microplastics enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and absorption through the skin.
Microplastics have been found in seafood, fruits, vegetables, and commercially available food-grade table salt.
The impact of microplastics on human health is not yet fully understood. However, microplastics have been linked to poor health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and low male fertility.
Exposure to microplastics can be reduced by limiting the use of single-use plastics, avoiding contaminated food and water sources, and reducing the use of plastic products that can shed microplastics, such as clothing, carpets, and upholstery.
