Effects of plastic: Scientists find microplastics in human blood for the first time!
From the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, from the air, soil to the food chain, microplastic debris has appeared almost anywhere on the earth. Now, more studies have confirmed that microplastics have "invaded" human blood.
Usually, plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm in diameter are called "microplastics", and the extremely small size makes it difficult for us to notice their existence.
Scientists have detected microplastic pollution in human blood for the first time, according to a study published in the journal Environment International. Some previous studies have found microplastics in the gut, placentas of unborn babies, and in adult and infant feces, but never in blood samples.
The study examined blood samples from 22 anonymous healthy volunteers and found that 77% of the samples contained microplastics, with an average concentration of 1.6 micrograms per milliliter.
A total of 5 plastics were tested in the study: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
PMMA, also known as acrylic or plexiglass, is mostly used for the appearance of electronic equipment and lighting equipment
PP is widely used in takeaway lunch boxes, fresh-keeping boxes, and some milk bottles
PS is widely used in disposable food packaging materials
PE is often used in packaging films and plastic bags, such as fresh-keeping bags, cling film
PET is usually used for the appearance of mineral water bottles, beverage bottles and various household appliances, etc.
The results showed that about half of the blood samples showed traces of PET plastic, more than a third contained PS, and about a quarter contained PE.
Even more shocking, the researchers found as many as three different types of microplastics in a single blood sample.
Studies have shown that these microplastics may enter the human body through various routes such as air, water or food, and may also enter the human body through specific toothpastes, lipsticks and tattoo inks. In theory, plastic particles could be transported through the bloodstream to various organs throughout the body.
The researchers say other kinds of microplastics may be present in the blood, but their study did not detect particles larger than the diameter of a sampling needle.
While the effects of microplastics on human health are unclear, researchers are concerned that microplastics can cause damage to human cells. Air pollution particles have previously been shown to enter the body and cause millions of premature deaths each year.
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