A Potential Threat to Heart Health

The presence of Microplastics in human blood

More and more news appears each day concerning the dangers of plastics affecting wildlife and also our own health, but most recently there’s been increased worry about the effects of tiny pieces of the plastic menace getting into the human bloodstream, and it’s fairly recently that we are now starting to realise the seriousness of this.

Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic that are less than 5mm in diameter, have been found in the most unexpected places, including the human bloodstream, and that’s worrying for several reasons.

A recent study published in the journal Environmental International examined the makeup of microplastics in human blood and raised concerns about the potential risks they pose to cardiovascular health.

The Study

The study analysed the blood samples of 20 healthy individuals and found that 18 of them had microplastics in their blood. These microplastics were composed of 24 different polymer types, with most of them being white and clear fragments. It was found that the microplastics were of different sizes and shapes, with an average particle length of 7–3000 µm and an average particle width of 5–800 µm.

The researchers noted that this was the first study to use microFTIR microscopy to identify the size and shape of microplastics present in the blood, which could be crucial in understanding how the body interacts with microplastics.

Potential risks to heart health

While the exact impact of microplastics on human health is still unknown, researchers suggest that they could contribute to specific problems such as vascular inflammation or changes in blood clotting function. The study authors point out that understanding the characteristics of microplastics in the blood can help experts understand how dangerous they may be to people.

This raises questions about the potential health impact of microplastics, particularly in relation to their size. The average particle size in this study was much larger than what previous studies have observed, which could have serious implications for cardiovascular health.

Limitations of the study

This work, though, has some limitations, including the potential for contamination of samples during the collection and study period. The researchers attempted to account for this by comparing the samples to procedural blank samples, but there is still a risk of background contamination.

Additionally, the study only estimated the mass of microplastic polymers and may have underestimated the actual mass.

These studies highlight the need for further research, and while the exact risks are still unknown, the presence of microplastics in the human bloodstream is a cause for concern.

As Tracey Woodruff, a professor and director at the University of California, San Francisco, notes, the government should take action to address the problem of plastic production, which is on track to triple by 2030.

What more can the average person do to help?

• Choosing reusable alternatives to single-use plastics.
• Washing clothes made with synthetic fabrics in a way that minimizes microplastic release.
• Supporting policies that restrict the use of microplastics in products.

In the meantime, you and I can take steps to reduce our exposure to microplastics by avoiding products that contain microbeads, using a filter when drinking water, and avoiding heating food in plastic containers.

References: Microplastics in human blood: Polymer types, concentrations and characterisation using μFTIR — ScienceDirect

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