Researchers have just found microplastics in human blood for the first time.
The microplastics today pollute the oceans, rivers and even the air. However, Dutch researchers have just identified for the first time in human blood. Alarmingly, these plastic particles were detected in 77% of the adults studied. Further research should now take place to find out if the presence of microplastics in the blood has any health consequences.
Human blood polluted by microplastics
An unprecedented discovery has just been made by researchers at the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), microplastics can pollute human blood. In their study, published in the magazine Environment Internationalthe results reveal precisely that 77% of the adults studied had plastic particles in their blood.
In details, the blood of 22 healthy volunteers was analyzed by the researchers. A total of five types of plastic were sought. In conclusion, the study shows that half of the samples contained PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate), notably present in plastic bottles; a third of the samples contained polystyrene; and a quarter of microplastics from polyethylene, used for example to make plastic bags.
Previously, we already knew that these microplastics were present in our blood, but only transiently through the stool. The presence of these particles in the blood is however a first. Dick Vethaak, ecotoxicologist and co-author of the study, told AFP: For the first time, we were able to detect and quantify ».
Two hypotheses are put forward by scientists to justify this contamination of blood by microplastics: breathing through a mask as well as the consumption of water via plastic bottles and food stored in plastic. Dick Vethaak warns in particular: “ Are these levels high enough to trigger disease? We urgently need to fund further research to find out. “. Other studies should thus follow in order to clarify the dangers caused by the presence of microplastics in the blood.
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