First discovery of Microplastics in blood by scientists

Blood samples from half of the patients showed PET plastic traces

Microplastics in blood of humans have been found for the first time, raising the alarm that these ubiquitous particles may be making their way into the organs as well. Microplastic pollution causes these tiny pieces of mostly invisible plastic to be found in almost every corner of the Earth, including the deepest oceans, highest mountains, the air, soil, and food chain.

An international study published in the journal Environment International recently examined blood samples from 22 anonymous, healthy volunteers and found microplastics in nearly 80% of them.

More than a third of the blood samples contained polystyrene, used for disposable food containers and many other products. PET plastic was found in half of the samples, while polystyrene was found in more than a third of the samples.

Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said that this is the first time microplastics have been detected in human blood. “This is proof that we have plastics in our body — and we shouldn’t,” he told AFP, calling for further investigation to examine how it impacts human health.

A study reported that the Microplastics have been found to enter the human body in multiple ways, including via air, water and food, as well as toothpaste, lip gloss, and tattoo ink.

Considering all the organs of the body are linked by blood, if plastic is there, it could be anywhere.

This article is written and published in the public interest and in no way binding nor is meant to defame the industry or individual. The facts cited in this piece incorporate information from an article published by The Hindu editorial team.