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Rapid detection of microplastics/nanoplastics directly exposed to blood during intravenous injections via mie scattering spectra
Summary
Researchers discovered that medical IV equipment releases microplastics and nanoplastics directly into patients' bloodstreams, with infusion tubing being the primary source at concentrations of about 8.4 micrograms per liter. The particles were mainly PVC fibers from the tubing itself. The study recommends reducing unnecessary IV treatments and discarding the first 12 milliliters of saline from tubing to reduce this previously unrecognized source of direct microplastic exposure to human blood.
Microplastics/nanoplastics (M/NPs) are pervasive in the environment, leading to inevitable human exposure through various pathways and raising significant public and scientific concern. Understanding the sources and levels of M/NPs in human blood is crucial for environmental health studies. This work examined the content, type, shape, and size of M/NPs released directly into the bloodstream from medical devices via saline solution during intravenous (IV) injection. The results of the Mie scattering spectra method show that the M/NPs content from infusion bags was 1.0 ± 0.7 μg/L, mainly fibers, polyethylene, and polypropylene, with fragments being predominant. During a IV process, the initial 12 mL of saline from infusion tubes contained 8.4 ± 3.6 μg/L of M/NPs, primarily polyvinyl chloride and fibers. These results suggest that M/NPs exposure during IV therapy mainly originates from infusion tubing, necessitating high concern for exposure risks. Recommendations include: 1) reducing non-essential IV treatments, 2) discarding the initial 12 mL of saline solution flowing through the tubing during essential IV therapy, and 3) expediting the development of legal requirements and detection standards by national authorities and the healthcare industry to mitigate the risk of M/NPs exposure in the bloodstream.
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