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Assessing the Efficacy of Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Nanoplastic and Microplastic Analysis in Human Blood
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Researchers tested whether a common lab technique (pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) can reliably measure nanoplastics in human blood. They found that realistic detection limits were up to 20 times higher than ideal conditions suggest, and certain common plastics like polyethylene produced false readings due to interference from blood components. The study concludes that better analytical methods are needed before we can accurately measure plastic levels in human blood.
Humans are constantly exposed to micro- and nanosized plastics (MNPs); however, there is still limited understanding of their fate within the body, partially due to limitations with current analytical techniques. The current study assessed the appropriateness of pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) analysis for the quantification of a range of polymers in human blood. An extraction protocol that reduced matrix interferences (false positives) of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was developed and validated. Extraction recoveries ranged 7-109%, although surface-modified polystyrene (carboxylated) increased nanoparticle recoveries from 17 to 52%. Realistic detection limits were calculated for each polymer, accounting for matrix suppression and extraction recovery. These were up to 20 times higher than nominal detection limits calculated with Milli-Q water. Finally, the method was tested with a pilot study of the Australian population. PE interferences were reduced but still present, and no other polymers were above detection limits. It was concluded that Py-GC-MS is currently not a suitable analysis method for PE and PVC in biological matrices due to the presence of interferences and nonspecific pyrolysis products. Furthermore, while it is plausible to detect some polymers in blood, the estimated exposure concentrations needed are approaching the detection limits of the technique.
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Commentary on paper by M. Brits, M.J.M. van Velzen, F.Ö Sefiloglu, L. Scibetta, Q. Groenewoud, J.J. Garcia-Vallejo, A.D. Vethaak, S.H. Brandsma, M.H. Lamoree. Quantitation of Micro and Nanoplastics in Human Blood by Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry: a follow-up study. Microplastics and Nanoplastics (2024) 4:12
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Researchers reviewed a new method for measuring microplastics and nanoplastics in human blood using a technique called pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which breaks down plastic particles and identifies them by their chemical fingerprint. The commentary highlights that while the approach is promising, concerns about its accuracy and reliability need to be resolved before it can be widely accepted by the scientific community.
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