Microplastics found in human blood for 1st time

AFP

6:04 JST, April 6, 2022

PARIS (AFP-Jiji) — Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, warning that the ubiquitous particles could also be making their way into organs.

The tiny pieces of mostly invisible plastic have already been found almost everywhere else on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains as well as in the air, soil and food chain.

A Dutch study published in the Environment International journal on March 24 examined blood samples from 22 anonymous, healthy volunteers and found microplastics in nearly 80% of them.

Half of the blood samples showed traces of PET plastic, widely used to make drink bottles, while more than a third had polystyrene, used for disposable food containers and many other products.