Microplastics in human blood
Microplastics in humans—is this not a strange fact? The same plastics used by different packaging and other sectors are now being found in humans. Research shows that the growing rate of microplastic in the bloodstream is increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Tiny plastic particles break down into minuscule pieces during the manufacturing of commercial products. Through food consumption, it enters in human body easily, which often unnoticed by the naked eye. Therefore, microplastics in food are becoming a growing concern in the modern era. If people find microplastics in food on a daily basis, then strict regulations should be taken by the government body to save public health.
What is the history of Plastic?
During the period between 1950 and 1970, a minimal amount of microplastics was used by people, and it was relatively manageable. As per the report, 400 million tonnes of plastic waste have been generated every year currently. The growth of plastic waste increased since the 1970s, and if it continues, it can reach 1100 million tonnes by the end of 2050. People nowadays are attracted to the use of single-use plastic products, and the habit of this is called “plastisphere”. Therefore, the ratio of microplastics in the human body increases rapidly.
Research Papers: Microplastics in human blood
The discovery of microplastic in the bloodstream highlights the concerning reality of plastic pollution and its dangerous effects on public health. Based on the study of Environmental International, the length of microplastic particles is less than 5 mm and 1 µm in diameter. To perform the research, 20 healthy and drug-free volunteers who are over 18 years old were recruited as the participants. Their blood samples were collected following the guidelines of the University of Hull and the Centre of Biomedicine. A Nicolet™ iN10 Infrared Microscope was used to test 8.5 mL blood samples. However, 736 microplastic particles were discovered in the collected sample.
Out of 20 samples, 18 were detected with the 24 polymer types of microplastic. Then, the research team also attended LOQ (Limit of Quantification) criteria on those samples and found that 8 out of 20 blood samples embraced microplastics. The detection of microplastics in the bloodstream highlighted five microplastics out of 24 polymers, which are called PE, EPDM, EVA/EVOH, PA and EVA. Even they identified the microplastic particles present in these participants were large. The biggest particle was 4.65 μg/mL of PE, while the smallest was 0.61 μg/mL of EVA.
Should we worried about the results of the research?
Yes, of course, we need to be concerned about this factor of microplastic in the bloodstream. The effect of microplastics on the human body is considerable. Microplastics enter human bodies in different ways like food consumption or inhalation. Microplastics have been found in different packaged products, drinking water bottles, and even in personal beauty care products. It does not affect instantly in the human body. Instead, microplastics enter the bloodstream and, over time, increase the chance of cardiovascular diseases.
How to remove microplastics from your body
To remove microplastics from the human body, people need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. People need to understand the depth of concern about microplastics in the human body and need to minimise the use of plastic-based products. There are a lot of options of fibre-rich foods in the market including fruits, vegetables and more. Avoiding packaged instant food can reduce microplastics in the human body. Moreover, there are a lot of beauty products which are based on ayurvedic and natural ingredients; investing in these products can decrease the risk of entering microplastics into the bloodstream.
FAQ
How do microplastics get to us?
Microplastics enter human bodies in different ways like food consumption or inhalation.
How do you remove microplastics from your body?
People need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to remove microplastics from the human body. They need to understand the depth of concern about microplastics in the human body and minimise the use of plastic-based products. There are many options for fibre-rich foods in the market, including fruits, vegetables, and more.
What is the effect of microplastics on the body?
Microplastics have been found in different packaged products, drinking water bottles, and even personal beauty care products. They do not affect the human body instantly; instead, microplastics enter the bloodstream and, over time, increase the chance of cardiovascular diseases.
Does the human body have large microplastics?
The research highlighted five microplastics out of 24 polymers called PE, EPDM, EVA/EVOH, PA and EVA. Even they identified the microplastic particles present in these participants were large. The biggest particle was 4.65 μg/mL of PE, while the smallest was 0.61 μg/mL of EVA.
How do microplastics damage human health?
It does not affect instantly in the human body, instead, microplastics enter the bloodstream, and over time, increase the chance of cardiovascular diseases.
How much plastic waste is generated per year?
400 million tonnes of plastic waste have been generated every year currently. The growth of plastic waste increased since the 1970s, and if it continues, it can reach 1100 million tonnes by the end of 2050.
