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Quantitative Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics (≥300 nm) in Human Urine Using Double-Shot Py-GC/MS with Internal Standard Calibration
Summary
Researchers analyzed urine samples from 18 volunteers and detected micro- and nanoplastics in every single sample, with concentrations averaging about 0.27 micrograms per milliliter. Low-density polyethylene was the most abundant polymer found, making up roughly 68% of the total, and the type of drinking water people consumed appeared to influence their exposure levels. The study provides new quantitative evidence that microplastics are present inside the human body and can be measured through non-invasive urine testing.
The rapid increase in plastic production and consumption has intensified research into human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and their health effects. This study quantitatively assessed MNP internal exposure levels in non-invasive human samples, focusing on the four most common types of MNPs (≥300 nm): polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polystyrene (PS). Urine samples from 18 volunteers (4 males, 14 females) were analyzed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) with P(E-13C2) as an internal standard. The study developed a straightforward yet effective analytical approach for quantifying MNPs in biological fluids. MNPs were detected in all urine samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.098 to 0.986 μg/mL and an average concentration of 0.268 ± 0.235 μg/mL. LDPE, 0.074 μg/mL (interquartile range: 0.030-0.243 μg/mL), was the most abundant polymer, accounting for 67.72% of the total MNPs, followed by PS at 21.17%, while PP and PET accounted for 7.06% and 4.05%, respectively. The results also suggest that drinking water type may serve as a distinct source of MNPs in urine. This study provides novel evidence on MNP (≥300 nm) internal exposure in humans and the influence of drinking habits, highlighting the application prospects of this method in assessing the potential health risks of MNPs.