Microplastic detected in human blood for the first time

Environmental pollution is increasing, but the environment is not the only thing polluted. A new study shows that for the first time, microplastics smaller than 5 mm have been detected in human blood. These small pieces of plastic were found in the blood of 80% of the participants in the study.

Microplastic detection in human blood

Blood samples were taken from 22 healthy adult individuals as part of a study conducted in the Netherlands. By examining the blood samples, plastic particles were detected in the bodies of 17 of the participants. PET used to make beverage bottles was found in half of the samples. A third contained polystyrene, which is used to package food and other supplies.

Professor Kick Vethaak from Vrije University Amsterdam: “Our work is the first indication that we have polymer particles in our blood and this is a groundbreaking result but we need to expand the research and increasing sample sizes, the number of polymers evaluated, etc. The particles are there and in the body. They’re moving throughout.” said.

Previously Microplastics have been detected in human feces. In fact, one study found that babies’ stools contain 10 times more microplastics than adults, but this new study is the first to show the presence of microplastics in human blood.