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Microplastic entry into bloodstream via hemodialysis: A dual-simulation clinical study
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Researchers measured microplastics in the blood of nine patients before and after hemodialysis, finding that particle counts nearly doubled post-procedure, with polymer types matching dialysis tubing materials — suggesting medical plastic devices are a direct route of microplastic entry into the bloodstream.
Microplastics have attracted considerable attention due to their impact on the potential risk in health. Humans can ingest microplastics through ingestion, breathing, and/or drinking. Medical procedures involving plastic devices, such as hemodialysis, may lead to microplastic entry into the bloodstream. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of hemodialysis on microplastic abundances in patients' blood. Laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging spectrometry was employed to measure microplastics in ultrapure water samples (5 groups) before and after dialysis and blood samples (9 patients) pre- and post-hemodialysis. We detected the microplastics in the four water samples after dialysis, with no microplastics in pre-dialysis. Most of microplastics had diameters ranging between 20 and 50 μm. Compared to pre-hemodialysis blood samples, the number of microplastics in the post-hemodialysis blood samples was significantly increased (46.11 [56.22] vs. 96.11 [68.32], p = 0.027). We found chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyurethane (PU) in post-hemodialysis blood samples, with no trace in pre-hemodialysis blood samples. No significant correlation was observed between the number of total microplastics (or individual microplastic types) and the total dialyzed blood volume (all p values > 0.05). The results indicated that dialysis is associated with increased levels microplastics to enter the blood. However, the relationship between microplastic numbers and single dialysis-duration was not a single linear "contact time-dose".
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in the blood of 23 patients before and after heart stent procedures (percutaneous coronary intervention) and found that microplastic concentrations jumped nearly 19-fold after the procedure. The types of plastics found in the blood matched those detected on the medical devices used during the procedure, confirming that the devices themselves were the source. This study reveals that common medical procedures using plastic equipment may be an overlooked route for microplastics to enter the human bloodstream.
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Researchers found tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, built up in the blood vessel access points used for dialysis in kidney patients. This suggests microplastics from our environment can accumulate inside the human body, raising questions about whether they might affect blood vessel health, especially in people who rely on medical devices like dialysis access ports.
Exposure to microplastics via hemodialysis: differences between women and men
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A case-control study found that hemodialysis patients had higher microplastic burdens in blood compared to non-dialysis patients, with significant differences between women and men, suggesting dialysis treatment itself contributes to microplastic exposure.
Unveiling hidden contaminants: a systematic quantification and characterization of microplastics in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis fluids
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Researchers systematically analyzed hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis fluids for microplastic contamination and found plastic particles, predominantly fibers, in all tested samples. The microplastics were identified using advanced spectroscopic techniques and included polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns about chronic microplastic exposure in dialysis patients, who are exposed to large volumes of these fluids over time.
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Researchers measured microplastics in the blood of 114 patients before and after 174 therapeutic plasma exchange procedures. Circulating microplastic levels were lower afterward. At low starting levels the drop was obscured, because the plastic tubing of the device shed particles back into the blood.
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