Nearly 8 in 10 people’s blood found to contain plastic particles, breakthrough research finds.
Microplastics, or tiny plastic particles, are ubiquitous pollutants found almost everywhere on earth. Scientists have detected microplastics near the peak of Mount Everest, in the Mariana Trench and even in baby poop. But researchers have now found a new vessel for microplastics: human blood.
In a paper published in Environment International, researchers found plastic in the blood of 17 of 22 of study participants, or about 77%.
“Our study is the first indication that we have polymer particles in our blood – it’s a breakthrough result,” says study author Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands, to the Guardian’s Damian Carrington. “But we have to extend the research and increase the sample sizes, the number of polymers assessed, etc.”
Researchers took blood samples from anonymous, healthy adults, and looked for plastics that were between 700 and 500,000 nanometers (nm). Seven hundred nm is around 140 times smaller than the width of a human hair, writes The Wire Science’s Aathira Perinchery.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used in disposable water bottles, was the most widely encountered plastic polymer and found in about 50 percent of the donors. The second most common, polystyrene (PS), which is used for food packaging and polystyrene foam, was found in about 36 percent, per the study.
“It is certainly reasonable to be concerned,” Vethaak says to the Guardian. “The particles are there and are transported throughout the body.”
Vethaak tells the Independent’s Harry Cockburn that as a result of his research, he’s been cutting down on his own exposure to plastics by limiting single-use plastics and covering food and drinks to avoid plastics entering that way.
The participants could have been exposed to microplastics through air, water and food, but also through personal care products, like toothpaste or lip gloss, that might have been accidentally ingested, dental polymers, parts of implants or tattoo ink residues, per the authors.
Despite the small number of donors in the study and lack of data on their exposure level, pollution expert Fay Couceiro of the University of Portsmouth, who was not involved in the study, tells the AFP that the study was "robust and will stand up to scrutiny.”
The authors write that more research is needed to determine the human health risks involved with plastic in the bloodstream.
"Where is it going in your body?” Vethaak says to the AFP. “Can it be eliminated? Excreted? Or is it retained in certain organs, accumulating maybe, or is it even able to pass the blood-brain barrier?"
Source: =”https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/microplastics-detected-in-human-blood-180979826/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>www.smithsonianmag.com
10 comments
cashtornadoapp
Cashtornadoapp, eh? Sounds intense! Gave it a whirl and it was a fun game. The graphics are pretty nice, and I actually managed to win a bit! Worth checking out if you like something different. Give it a spin: cashtornadoapp
phwin11
Howdy, gamers! Just wanted to share my thoughts on phwin11. The graphics are sharp and the gameplay’s smooth. Might just be my new go-to! Give it a looksee at phwin11.
rs786
Alright, alright, alright rs786 does the trick. Good vibes only. Scope it out rs786
ply88
Been playing on Ply88 for a while now, and it’s become one of my go-to spots. Good variety of games and a solid, reliable platform. Worth checking out for a fun gaming session! Ready to play? ply88
ejcassinoapp
ejcassinoapp, pra quem curte jogar no celular, esse app é a pedida! Rápido, fácil de usar e com todos os jogos que a gente ama! Baixa aí o ejcassinoapp.
ivibbet
Ivibbet’s been treating me pretty well! The site’s easy to navigate, which is a huge plus, and their selection of games is solid. I’m mostly into sports betting, and they have pretty competitive odds. Give it a shot you might like it: ivibbet
Victorreicy
calculate for top-tier CBD production to upgrade your wellness? You arse https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/collections/thc-gummies straight off from our trust CBD fund and delight the gain of unadulterated CBD oil color and constitutional pull out. Every wad of CBD is lab-tested, pure, and word to slenderize casual accentuate spell encourage genial uncloudedness. Whether you penury a aurora CBD boost or eve CBD relaxation, our cleanse CBD formulas fit your quotidian utterly. Discover high-quality CBD impregnate, CBD gummies, and CBD topicals progress for maximum absorption. store CBD on-line now for dissipated cargo ships!
koin138login
Finally a site where the login process is actually straightforward and doesn’t lag. It makes getting into the action so much easier. Love the efficiency here. koin138login
idgatotkaca123
I stumbled upon this gem while browsing and immediately fell in love with how seamless the whole experience feels. The local payment options work perfectly and the game roster refreshes so regularly that boredom never sets in. It is like having a trusted gaming buddy right in my pocket. idgatotkaca123
Victorreicy
rise your work day with astute focus. append a few drops of [url=https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/collections/cbd-gummies ]thc cbd gummies[/url] to your coffee tree to go through CBD for rivet while smoothing KO’d caffeine jitters. This CBD coffee combining delivers polish energy that keep you fat. release from additive, our organic fertilizer CBD rock oil and CBD drops provide clean house affirm for meddling pro. alternate to cancel CBD energy, research our CBD store, grease one’s palms crummy CBD without conciliatory calibre, and get-go every cockcrow flavor balanced and concenter with CBD!