Microplastics found in human blood for the first time, may have spread all over the body! These are possible sources...

Expert: Yu Xiaoxuan, PhD student, School of Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University

Reviewer of this article: Wang Xinhong, Professor, School of Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University

Microplastics - plastic fragments smaller than soybeans - are already widespread in the environment.

According to a report by The Guardian on March 24, in a new study, scientists found microplastic particles in human blood for the first time. A research team in the Netherlands tested the blood of 22 volunteers. The results showed that 17 of them, or about 77%, had quantifiable microplastic particles in their blood.

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This discovery has attracted widespread attention from the public.

So what are the microplastics in our daily lives? How do microplastics "slip" into the human body? Are they harmful to the body after entering the human body?

Let’s take a look at this article together…

Microplastics, where do daily necessities come from?

The term microplastics was first proposed by Richard Thompson of the University of Plymouth in an article published in Science in 2004. It was later defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm and was generally recognized by scientists.

Common types of plastics include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon (PA), etc. The chemical properties of these materials are very stable.

In our daily production and life, plastic has brought great convenience to people.

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In the past, plastics were mostly used in food storage bags or garbage bags, but with the development of technology, plastics have been used in all aspects of family life. Even some products that seem to have nothing to do with plastics actually contain plastics.

Some of the care products or cosmetics we use in our daily lives, such as some microbeads in toothpaste, bath scrubs, sunscreens, etc., contain microplastics.

Many foods also contain microplastics during the production and consumption process, such as cans, coffee filters, beer, chewing gum, mineral water, table salt, and takeaway food.

In addition, detergents, cleaning agents, plastic food containers, plastic packaging, disposable cups, baby bottles, car tires, and the masks we use in large quantities during the epidemic are all difficult-to-degrade plastics.

If these items are discarded into the natural environment, they will degrade and break down over a long period of time, producing "ubiquitous" microplastics.

How do microplastics “slip” into the human body?

A paper published in Science reported that microplastics can enter the human body through inhalation and ingestion.

For example, airborne particles PM2.5 (<2.5µm), particles from diesel exhaust, and particles from car tires and brakes, can cross cell membranes, induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and are associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases or lung cancer.

Studies have shown that micron-sized plastic particles can enter all organs through cell membranes, placenta and even the brain, but it is still unknown about the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of microplastics in the human body and whether microplastics have a dose-dependent effect on humans.

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Currently, scientists are also committed to studying this issue. Although the presence of microplastics has been detected in human blood, it is still unclear how microplastics enter the blood. Scientists speculate that they may enter the blood through polluted air, water or food. How microplastics flow in the blood and through what channels they are transferred still need further research.

How should we deal with microplastics?

Although today's social life is closely related to plastic products, plastic pollution is also becoming increasingly serious.

In our daily lives, we can reduce the use of disposable products such as plastic boxes and plastic bags, properly handle plastic waste, sort it out, and not throw it away at will.

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Try to choose cotton clothes and shopping bags; try to take public transportation for daily travel; avoid using some daily cleaning products containing microbeads, and choose some products with natural exfoliating ingredients, such as oatmeal or salt.

At present, scientific researchers are also committed to the development of some environmentally friendly materials to seek new materials that can replace certain plastic products without causing environmental burden. Recently, at the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly, heads of state, environment ministers and other representatives from 175 countries signed and passed the "Resolution on Ending Plastic Pollution (Draft)", which aims to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee to reach an internationally legally binding agreement by 2024, covering all aspects of plastic product design, production, recycling and treatment.

Therefore, we look forward to the future society where plastic will slowly disappear from our lives.

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