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MPs Entering Human Circulation through Infusions: A Significant Pathway and Health Concern

Environment & Health 2025 21 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 73 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Xuejun Ruan, Xuejun Ruan, Tingting Huang, Licheng Wang, Minglu Ma, Licheng Wang, Minglu Ma, Tingting Huang, Minglu Ma, Minglu Ma, Minglu Ma, Xuejun Ruan, Liwen Zhang, Xuejun Ruan, Xuejun Ruan, Xuejun Ruan, Minglu Ma, Liwen Zhang, Minglu Ma, Liwen Zhang, Minglu Ma, Minglu Ma, Yangyang Liu, Wei Wang, Yangyang Liu, Tingting Huang, Yangyang Liu, Yangyang Liu, Liwu Zhang Yangyang Liu, Minglu Ma, Qiuyue Ge, Liwu Zhang Wei Wang, Licheng Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Xuejun Ruan, Liwen Zhang, Qiuyue Ge, Xuejun Ruan, Minglu Ma, Qiuyue Ge, Xuejun Ruan, Qiuyue Ge, Tingting Huang, Yangyang Liu, Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Xuejun Ruan, Xuejun Ruan, Xuejun Ruan, Wei Wang, Liwu Zhang Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Xuejun Ruan, Wei Wang, Xuejun Ruan, Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Liwu Zhang Liwu Zhang Wei Wang, Qiuyue Ge, Wenbo You, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Yangyang Liu, Liwu Zhang Wei Wang, Qiuyue Ge, Qiuyue Ge, Minglu Ma, Qiuyue Ge, Qiuyue Ge, Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Minglu Ma, Wei Wang, Yangyang Liu, Yangyang Liu, Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Yangyang Liu, Wei Wang, Liwu Zhang Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wenbo You, Xuejun Ruan, Qiuyue Ge, Xuejun Ruan, Wei Wang, Qiuyue Ge, Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Liwu Zhang Wenbo You, Ventsislav K. Valev, Wei Wang, Yangyang Liu, Liwu Zhang Qiuyue Ge, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Liwen Zhang, Ventsislav K. Valev, Yangyang Liu, Liwu Zhang Liwu Zhang Yangyang Liu, Liwu Zhang Liwu Zhang Liwu Zhang Liwen Zhang, Wei Wang, Ventsislav K. Valev, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Xuejun Ruan, Wei Wang, Wei Wang, Xuejun Ruan, Wei Wang, Liwu Zhang Ventsislav K. Valev, Liwu Zhang Wenbo You, Ventsislav K. Valev, Licheng Wang, Liwu Zhang Liwu Zhang Ventsislav K. Valev, Liwu Zhang

Summary

This study measured the microplastics released by standard intravenous infusion equipment and found approximately 7,500 polypropylene particles per liter of fluid, with most particles between 1 and 20 micrometers in size. Standard filtration built into these medical devices does not fully prevent microplastic contamination. Since these particles enter the bloodstream directly, even small amounts could accumulate in organs like the liver, spleen, and lungs over time.

Polymers

Human uptake of microplastic particles (MPs) is causing increasing health concerns, and there is mounting pressure to evaluate the associated risks. While MPs can be ingested, breathed in, or drank in, a very direct entrance channel is available through ingress into the bloodstream. Intravenous infusion usually proceeds from plastic bottles. Many are made of polypropylene (PP), and filtering is applied to limit particle contamination. In this study, we examined the MPs' content of filtrates using a combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We find that the number of PP particles is significant (∼7500 particles/L). The MP sizes range from 1 to 62 μm, with a median of ∼8.5 μm. About 90% of particles ranged between 1 and 20 μm in size, with ∼60% in the range 1 to 10 μm. We then discuss the potential number of such particles injected and the consequences of their presence in the bloodstream. We highlight the organs for potential deposition, and we discuss possible clinical effects. Our quantitative data are important to help evaluate the toxicity risks associated with MPs and to accurately balance those risks versus the benefits of using intravenous injections.

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