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Microplastics in blood bags may affect red blood cells
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Scientists found tiny bits of plastic (microplastics) in bags used to store donated blood, likely coming from the plastic bags themselves, and these particles may affect the health of red blood cells over time. However, researchers caution it's too early to say blood bags need to be redesigned, more studies are needed to understand if this actually poses a risk to patients receiving blood transfusions.
But ‘calling on manufacturers to overhaul blood storage materials would be premature’
More Papers Like This
Microplastics Released from Blood Storage Bags: A Hidden Contribution to Red Blood Cell Storage Lesions
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Blood storage bags shed tiny plastic particles into the solutions used to preserve donated blood, and the longer blood sits in storage, the more microplastics build up and interact with red blood cells. This matters because these particles may contribute to blood cell damage during storage—but the good news is researchers found that filtering the solution before use removed most of the plastic and helped keep red blood cells healthier.
Microplastic contamination of donated blood and red cell concentrates
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Researchers investigated whether blood donation and processing procedures introduce microplastics into transfusion products, finding that plastic blood collection packs and processing steps may contribute to microplastic contamination. Microplastics have previously been found in human blood at varying concentrations, with potential associations to vascular and thrombotic effects. The study raises important questions about whether blood processing equipment may be an underrecognized source of microplastic exposure for transfusion recipients.
Microplastic particles in human blood and their association with coagulation markers
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In a study of 36 healthy adults, microplastics were detected in the blood of 89% of participants, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. Higher microplastic levels were associated with changes in blood clotting markers, suggesting that plastic particles in our bloodstream may affect how our blood coagulates, though larger studies are needed to confirm this link.
Do Microplastics have any significant effect on Red Blood Cells? An In-depth study by Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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This meta-analysis pools data from multiple studies to examine how microplastics affect red blood cells. The findings highlight a knowledge gap about how microplastics interact with our blood cells, which is significant because red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and any disruption could affect overall health.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Blood: What the Latest Research Shows
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A review of recent evidence that micro- and nanoplastics circulate in human blood, drawing on several detection methods. It covers associations with artery plaque and coagulation and examines plasma exchange and blood donation as research questions. Causation remains an open question.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.