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Disposition of [ 14 C]-polystyrene microplastics after oral administration to lactating sheep
Summary
When lactating sheep were fed radioactively labeled polystyrene microplastics, most passed through in feces, but a small fraction (up to 1%) entered the blood, milk, and urine. The microplastics were absorbed quickly but eliminated slowly from the body, with detectable levels persisting throughout the 72-hour study. This is significant because it shows microplastics can transfer into animal milk, meaning dairy products could be a pathway for human microplastic exposure.
Microplastics have become a ubiquitous contaminant, but their fate in food animals is largely unknown. In this study, [14C]-polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) particles were orally dosed to lactating sheep to evaluate their absorption and disposition. Elimination of the [14C]-PS-MP was predominately through faeces with faecal radioactivity peaking at 24 h post-dosing but continuing to be present throughout the entire 72 h study period. Only a small fraction (≤ 1%) of the dosed [14C]-PS-MP was present in blood, milk, and urine. Pharmacokinetic analysis of blood plasma radioactivity, using non-compartment modeling, indicated rapid absorption (T1/2 0.4 to 3 h) with slow elimination (T1/2 37 to 48 h). Radioactivity in milk and urine had similar elimination patterns with radiocarbon activities peaking 24 h post-dosing with detectable elimination throughout the 72 h study period. No radioactivity was quantifiable in tissues at the 72 h withdrawal period.
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