We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene microplastic bioaccumulation in human blood and cancerous tissues in Algerian cases
Summary
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.