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Microplastics in Urinary Calculi: Evidence from Human Urinary Stones
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in every single kidney stone they tested from 13 patients, the first time this has been shown. This suggests plastic bits we're exposed to through food, water, and packaging might actually help kidney stones form, possibly by giving crystals a surface to latch onto and grow. With kidney stones becoming more common worldwide, this research raises new questions about whether everyday plastic exposure is quietly contributing to this painful condition.
PURPOSE: Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants with documented presence in human tissues, including urine and renal tissue. Whether microplastics become incorporated into urolithiasis has not been previously explored. We aimed to determine the presence and polymer composition of microplastics in human urinary stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal and bladder calculi from thirteen patients were collected intraoperatively at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Stone debris, otherwise discarded, underwent potassium hydroxide digestion followed by ultracentrifugation for microplastics isolation under contamination-controlled conditions. Polymer identification was performed using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry targeting twelve polymer standards. Quality controls included blanks and procedural standards to exclude contamination. RESULTS: Microplastics were identified in 100% (13/13) of specimens, with each specimen containing at least one polymer quantified above the limit of quantification (LOQ). Additional polymer detections between the limit of detection (LOD) and LOQ further supported the presence of microplastics across all samples. Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, nylon 6, and styrene-butadiene rubber were consistently detected across all samples. All stones contained multiple polymer types, suggesting heterogeneous incorporation. Detection rates exceeded those previously reported in urine and renal tissue studies, indicating a potential affinity of microplastics and nanoplastics for stone matrices. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence of microplastics within human urolithiasis. The consistent detection of common environmental polymers supports the hypothesis that microplastics and nanoplastics may act as nucleation substrates or become entrapped during stone crystallization. Given the rising global prevalence of urolithiasis, these findings implicate environmental plastic exposure as a novel contributor to stone pathogenesis and underscore the importance of investigating planetary health determinants of urologic disease.