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Detection of nano- and microplastics in mammalian tissue
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Researchers detected nano- and microplastics in mammalian tissue samples using sensitive analytical techniques, confirming particle accumulation in organs beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The findings demonstrate that small plastic particles can translocate from the gut to systemic tissues.
The continuous pollution of the environment with nano- and microplastics (NMP) has raised significant concerns about their impact on ecosystems and human health. Although the full consequences of exposure are unclear, the continuous fragmentation and accumulation of polymers through environmental processes have led to increased uptake in biological systems. The growing concern about the potentially serious health effects caused by NMP underlines the immediate need for detailed research to detect these particles in humans and assess their health effects. An initial step is to identify the plastic particles that enter our bodies and determine the affected organs. An established method to identify polymers in a non-destructive way is infrared spectroscopy. A particularly interesting variant of infrared spectroscopy is the Optical Photothermal Infrared (OPTIR) method, which has emerged as a powerful technique in this field of research. We show reliable and contactless detection of particles down to 250 nm size, thereby significantly surpassing limits of conventional Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. This advancement can improve our understanding of NMP contamination in complex matrices like human tissues. However, detecting microplastics is challenging due to the ability of polymers to change their chemical characteristics under various environmental conditions such as temperature, UV radiation, and moisture. Understanding these chemical transformations is crucial for accurate detection and identification since it is unclear which NMP humans ingest or how long these particles have been exposed to external influences. Researchers have highlighted the need for advanced detection methods that are reliable and effective, even when the exposure history of ingested NMPs is unknown. To address these complexities, we conducted a systematic study of 10 different polymer types. Further, we present results of NMPs detected in various mammalian tissue types. This is a prerequisite to accurately identify polymer particles and assess their impact on human health. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558837/document
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Detection of nano- and microplastics in mammalian tissue
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This review examined methods for detecting nano- and microplastics in mammalian tissue, surveying analytical approaches as concerns grow about accumulation in biological systems. The paper discussed how continuous fragmentation and environmental accumulation are increasing the likelihood of tissue uptake across multiple organ systems.
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Researchers examined tissue samples from deceased individuals and found microplastics in the brain, liver, thyroid, kidney, heart, muscle, and lungs, with the thyroid, kidney, and brain showing the highest contamination at up to 40 particles per gram of tissue. Nanoscale plastic particles smaller than 0.02 micrometers were also detected, indicating that the tiniest plastics can cross biological barriers and accumulate deep in human organs.
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Researchers developed methods to visualize and chemically characterize nanoplastics that have accumulated in human tissue samples. They were able to identify plastic particles smaller than one micrometer within tissue using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The study provides some of the first direct evidence of nanoscale plastic accumulation in the human body, which is essential for designing future health effects research.
Systemic Accumulation and Distribution of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Human Tissues and Their Impact on Health: A Systematic Review
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This systematic review synthesizes human evidence on the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in body tissues and fluids, including blood, lungs, placenta, breast milk, and liver. The research confirms that plastic particles can cross biological barriers and accumulate in multiple organ systems. While the long-term health effects are still being studied, the widespread presence of plastics inside the human body raises significant health concerns.
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