We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Concurrent Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastics and Bisphenol A in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Patients and Hemodialysis Patients: Results from a Cross-Sectional Human Biomonitoring Study Focusing on Sex-Related Patterns
AI summary Read the abstract
People with kidney disease, especially those on dialysis, had noticeably higher levels of tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) in their blood compared to healthy people, likely because damaged kidneys can't filter them out as well and dialysis equipment may add more plastic exposure. Interestingly, women and men showed different patterns of plastic buildup depending on their kidney disease status, suggesting sex may play a role in how these particles accumulate in the body. This matters because it points to kidney patients as a group who may be especially vulnerable to plastic pollution's health effects, an area that needs more research and monito
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those receiving hemodialysis (HD), may be more vulnerable to exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) because of impaired renal clearance and frequent contact to plastic-based medical devices. This study aimed to assess and compare the levels of blood MNPs and urinary BPA in HD patients, non-dialysis CKD patients, and healthy subjects with a focus on sex-related differences and the potential role of hemodialysis as an additional source of exposure. A cross-sectional human biomonitoring study was conducted. Blood and urine samples were collected to quantify BPA using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and MNPs using scanning electron microscopy coupled with an Energy-Dispersive X-ray Detector (SEM-EDX). Descriptive statistics included medians, interquartile ranges (IQRs), 95% confidence intervals, frequencies, and percentages. Blood MNP levels were higher in HD [9889 (4525–14,939) p/mL] and non-dialysis CKD patients [9234 (3354–15,429) p/mL] than in healthy subjects [5755 (2488–9042) p/mL]. Urinary MNP levels were also higher in non-dialysis CKD patients [1231 (0–8281) p/mL] than in healthy subjects [411 (0–1636) p/mL]. Urinary MNPs were smaller in non-dialysis CKD patients than in healthy subjects. In contrast, urinary BPA levels were lower in non-dialysis CKD patients [0.16 (0.12–0.16)] than in healthy subjects [0.98 (0.60–2.36)]. Sex-specific patterns were observed. Females had higher blood MNP levels than males among HD patients (median 9907 vs. 9063 p/mL) and healthy subjects (6627 vs. 4131 p/mL), whereas the opposite pattern was observed in non-dialysis CKD patients (10,083 vs. 7340 p/mL). Overall, these findings suggest an increased systemic burden of MNPs and altered BPA elimination in non-dialysis CKD and HD patients. The observed sex-specific patterns suggest that biological sex may contribute to differences in internal exposure within this vulnerable population.
More Papers Like This
Exposure to microplastics via hemodialysis: differences between women and men
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Micro- and nanoplastics and the kidney: human evidence, clinical vulnerabilities, dialysis-related exposure, and CKD
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles have been found in human kidneys, blood, and urine, and this review pulls together existing research suggesting these particles—along with chemicals like BPA and PFAS often found in plastics—may be linked to kidney damage, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease. People on dialysis may face extra exposure because their blood repeatedly contacts plastic tubing and filters during treatment, making them an important group to study further. While the science is still developing, this research highlights why reducing plastic exposure and rethinking medical device materials could matter for protecting kidney health, especially in vulnerable patients.
Micro- and Nanoplastic Pollution and Renal Health: Human Evidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles have been found in human blood, urine, and even kidney tissue, and lab studies show they can stress kidney cells and potentially contribute to inflammation and scarring. This review pulls together what scientists currently know, but it's clear we still don't have solid proof that microplastics actually cause kidney disease in people, more research is needed, especially for those already dealing with kidney problems or dialysis, before we can say how worried to be.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in haemodialysis waters: Emerging threats to be in our radar
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated whether kidney dialysis patients are being exposed to micro and nanoplastics during their treatments, since they process 300 to 600 liters of water per week. The researchers found several potential contamination points in the dialysis process and estimated that even with 99% filtration, plastic particles could still reach patients' kidneys. This is especially concerning because dialysis patients already have compromised kidney function and may be more vulnerable to plastic particle exposure.
Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the kidney and cardiovascular system
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics found in human hearts, kidneys, blood, and urine can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and metabolic disruption. Kidney dialysis patients may face especially high exposure, and clinical evidence suggests particulate plastic exposure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.