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Is intravenous infusion an unrecognized route for internal microplastic human exposure? A general assessment
Summary
This study discovered that microplastics are present in intravenous (IV) infusion products used in hospitals, identifying a previously unrecognized route of microplastic exposure that bypasses the body's natural barriers. Standard IV filters removed some but not all of the plastic particles. This finding is important because IV-delivered microplastics go directly into the bloodstream, potentially posing a greater risk than microplastics that are eaten or inhaled.
As newly recognized environmental pollutants, microplastics (MPs, ≤5 mm in length) have been reported in various human tissues and fluids, including the spleen, liver, heart, blood and blood clots, raising global concerns about their impact on human health. This study investigated the characteristics of MPs in intravenous infusion and the removal of MPs from infusion products by infusion sets fitted with different filters using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. MPs were detected in infusion products, with an average abundance of 1.24 ± 1.44 items/unit (2.91 ± 3.91 items/L). The primary types of MPs identified were fragmented particles of polyethene and polypropylene, ranging in size from 15-100 µm. Internal filters in infusion sets played a crucial role in removing MPs, particularly fibrous ones, resulting in a reduction in both abundance and particle size of MPs in the human body. Moreover, this study conducted a general assessment of intravenous microplastic exposure among hospital patients and estimated the global per-person input of MPs via intravenous administration. It is an opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of MPs in intravenous infusion and provides guides selecting infusion devices, increasing awareness of associated health risks.