Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, the concern is that these microplastics might find their way into human organs.
Microplastics have already been found in many places on Earth, including our waterways.
According to the USGS, microplastics are the miniscule plastic fragments (smaller than 0.04 inch) that fall off of decomposing plastic bottles and bags, and are intentionally manufactured into some toothpastes and lotions. Scientists have found microplastics nearly everywhere, particularly in lakes, rivers, and aquatic animals.
Microplastics can be harmful to humans, as well as wildlife through:
- The physical hazards of ingesting plastic particles (fish, birds, and other animals can experience digestive obstruction, impaired reproduction, other adverse biological effects, and even death)
- The unhealthy additives found in plastic particles (some additives have been associated with cancer and endocrine disruption)
- The contaminants that accumulate on plastic particles (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's), organochlorine pesticides, trace metals, and even pathogens have been found at high concentrations on microplastics)
According to a Dutch study published in the Environment International journal last Thursday, microplastics were found in nearly 80 percent of blood samples they took. The study included 22 anonymous, healthy volunteers.
Half of the blood samples showed traces of PET plastic, the type used to make drink bottles, while more than a third had polystyrene, used for disposable food containers and other products.
Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said, "this is the first time we have actually been able to detect and quantify" microplastics in human blood.
Further research is needed to understand the long term impacts of microplastics in human blood.
Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, the concern is that these microplastics might find their way into human organs.
Microplastics have already been found in many places on Earth, including our waterways.
According to the USGS, microplastics are the miniscule plastic fragments (smaller than 0.04 inch) that fall off of decomposing plastic bottles and bags, and are intentionally manufactured into some toothpastes and lotions.
Scientists have found microplastics nearly everywhere, particularly in lakes, rivers, and aquatic animals.
Microplastics can be harmful to humans, as well as wildlife through:
- The physical hazards of ingesting plastic particles (fish, birds, and other animals can experience digestive obstruction, impaired reproduction, other adverse biological effects, and even death)
- The unhealthy additives found in plastic particles (some additives have been associated with cancer and endocrine disruption)
- The contaminants that accumulate on plastic particles (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's), organochlorine pesticides, trace metals, and even pathogens have been found at high concentrations on microplastics)
According to a Dutch study published in the Environment International journal last Thursday, microplastics were found in nearly 80 percent of blood samples they took. The study included 22 anonymous, healthy volunteers.
Half of the blood samples showed traces of PET plastic, the type used to make drink bottles, while more than a third had polystyrene, used for disposable food containers and other products.
Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said, "this is the first time we have actually been able to detect and quantify" microplastics in human blood.
Further research is needed to understand the long term impacts of microplastics in human blood.