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Detection, characterization, and quantification of microplastics in human biological matrices: a systematic review.
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This review summarizes 40 studies that found microplastics in human blood, urine, feces, placenta, breast milk, semen, and lung and heart tissue. Methods for detecting these particles varied widely, and many studies had quality limitations, so researchers say current evidence cannot yet confirm health effects.
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment represents an emerging risk to human health, with growing evidence of detection in human biological matrices. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the detection, quantification, and characterization of MPs in human biological matrices. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Original research articles published in English up to 2025 that involved human participants were included, specifically selecting observational studies. The 40 included studies confirmed MPs in multiple human biological matrices, including blood, urine, feces, placenta, breast milk, semen, lung, and heart tissue. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality and risk of bias of the individual studies. Substantial methodological heterogeneity was observed in analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (μFTIR), micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-Raman), laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), as well as in the reporting units and limits of detection. Most studies reported fragments and fibers, with a predominance of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). NOS assessment showed that 52.5% of studies were of moderate quality, indicating that while the frequent detection of these particles suggests widespread human contact, significant methodological shortcomings and potential analytical overestimations limit the accurate quantification of systemic exposure and the strength of causal inferences. The widespread detection of MPs raises public health concerns regarding chronic exposure and potential health implications. However, current evidence remains insufficient to establish causal relationships, underscoring the urgent need for rigorous epidemiological studies.
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This review compiles 91 studies showing that microplastics have been detected in human blood, urine, stool, lung tissue, breast milk, semen, and placenta, confirming widespread human exposure. While our bodies have some ability to clear these particles, microplastics that accumulate in tissues may trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, gut disruption, and reproductive problems. The authors stress that more standardized monitoring methods are needed to fully understand the health consequences.
Microplastics in human biological matrices: occurrence, analytical approaches, and health implications
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This review summarizes 124 studies on microplastics found in human body samples, including fluids, tissues, and excretions, most commonly detecting plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene. It found widespread evidence of human exposure, but noted inconsistent methods between studies and said links to health conditions remain observational, not proven causes.
Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Clinical Outcomes
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This systematic review found that microplastics have been detected in human blood, placental tissue, and gastrointestinal samples, with proposed health mechanisms including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, endocrine disruption, and gut microbiome alterations. While direct clinical evidence remains limited, the accumulating laboratory and observational data point to microplastics as a plausible contributor to multiple disease pathways.
Unveiling the presence of micro and nanoplastics in human biological matrices: A systematic review covering the latest five years from 2020 to 2025
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This systematic review covering 2020-2025 confirmed the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in human blood, placenta, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other biological matrices. The findings demonstrate that plastic particles are accumulating in human tissues through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, raising urgent questions about long-term health consequences.
A systematic review of the presence and potential health impacts of microplastics in the human body
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This review pulled together 25 studies confirming that tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) have been found throughout the human body—in blood, lungs, organs, and even placental tissue—showing these particles can travel and build up inside us. However, researchers still don't fully understand what health effects this buildup causes, largely because studies use inconsistent methods to detect and measure these particles, so more standardized research is urgently needed before we can say exactly how worried we should be.
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