Correlation of the amount of plastic particles in the stool

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On the other hand, microplastics — tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm long — are everywhere, permeating our food, air and water. According to recent estimates, we consume tens of thousands of these particles every year, with little known health effects. On the other hand, the prevalence of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is increasing worldwide. Chinese researchers have just found that people with IBD have more microplastic particles in their stool than healthy controls.

IBD is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and visceral pain, and IBD is almost certainly influenced or exacerbated by diet and environmental factors. However, previous studies have shown that microplastics can cause problems in: Generation of Reactive Oxygen DerivativesIt is known to play a role in inflammation. So Yan Zhang and colleagues wondered if plastic particles might also contribute to IBD.

First, the researchers wanted to compare the levels of microplastics in the stools of healthy people and people with IBD of varying degrees of severity. The result: Stool collected from 52 people with IBD contained about 1.5 times more microplastic particles per gram than comparable samples from 50 healthy volunteers.

Major sources of human exposure to microplastics

Microplastics had similar shapes (mostly leaves and fibers) in both groups, but the stools of people with IBD contained more small particles (less than 50 micrometers). A total of 15 types of microplastics were found in the faeces, with polyethylene terephthalate (or PET, used in bottles) and polyamide, found in food packaging and textiles, predominating.

As part of the study, the researchers sent a questionnaire to patients. Three basic questions were asked: Do you usually drink tap or bottled water? Do you have a habit of cooking at home or buying takeaway? Are you generally exposed to dust in your working and living conditions? ».

Analyzing the results, the scientists found that people in both groups who drank bottled water, ate fast food and were frequently exposed to dust had more microplastics in their stools. In short, plastic packaging for drinking water and food and exposure to dust remain important sources of human exposure to microplastics, which It enters the brain and weakens the immune defense.

A positive correlation between the amount of fecal plastic particles and the severity of IBD

In addition, people with more severe IBD symptoms tend to experience higher levels of microplastics in their stool. These findings suggest that people with IBD may be exposed to more microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract. However, as an observational study, the study was unable to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. It cannot be said with certainty that the difference in microplastic loading is only or even partially responsible for the symptoms of diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and abdominal cramping associated with this disease.

It is even possible that the disease itself aggravates the retention of plastic particles. But the mere possibility of a link is worrisome enough to warrant further investigation. Scientists have finally indicated that fecal microplastics are useful in assessing human exposure to plastic and health risks.

source : Environmental Science and Technology

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