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Polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene microplastic bioaccumulation in human blood and cancerous tissues in Algerian cases
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Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastics in human blood and cancerous tissues from Jijel Province, Algeria. They detected over 220 microplastic particles in breast, colon, and rectal cancer tissues, and 172 particles in blood samples, with PET and polypropylene identified as the most common polymers. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive investigations into human microplastic exposure and its potential long-term health implications in North Africa.
Due to poor waste management and excessive plastic consumption, Algeria faces an escalating concern over plastic pollution, particularly microplastics (MPs). This pioneering study provides the first baseline assessment of MPs in human biological samples from Jijel Province, Algeria. MPs were detected and characterized in blood samples and cancer tissues (breast, colon, and rectal) using organic digestion, density separation, and filtration. More than 220 MPs (100-200 µm) were identified in cancer tissues, averaging 25 particles/gram. Blood samples contained 172 MPs (50-300 µm), averaging 3 particles/gram. Agglomerated microspheres and fibers predominated in both matrices. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) as major polymers in approximately 44% of samples analyzed. Microparticles were observed in DNA extraction solutions; however, their relationship to genomic material remains unconfirmed and requires advanced co-localization techniques. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive investigations into human exposure to MPs and their potential long-term health implications in North Africa.
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Scientists found microplastics in every fish and mussel sample examined from the Algerian Mediterranean coast, with six common plastic types identified including polypropylene and polyethylene. The contaminated species are widely consumed by local populations. This study adds to growing evidence that people eating seafood are regularly exposed to microplastics, and helps establish baseline pollution data for an understudied region.
Microplastics in Morocco's most consumed fisheries: Chemical characterization, ecological traits, and implications for human health
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Researchers analyzed 240 fish from 12 of Morocco's most commonly consumed species and found microplastics in 100% of samples, with particles detected in the gills, gonads, and digestive tracts. The most common plastics were polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene, predominantly appearing as fragments and fibers smaller than 1 mm. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics and associated heavy metals through everyday seafood consumption.
Identification and analysis of microplastics in human penile cancer tissues
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Researchers found microplastics in tissue samples from patients with penile cancer, with the most common types being polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. Cancerous tissue contained significantly more microplastics and a greater variety of plastic types than nearby healthy tissue, suggesting a possible link between microplastic accumulation and cancer development that needs further investigation.
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