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Discovery and analysis of microplastics in human bone marrow
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For the first time, researchers detected microplastics in human bone marrow, finding plastic particles in all 16 samples tested. The most common types were polyethylene and polystyrene, with about 90% of particles smaller than 100 micrometers. This discovery shows that microplastics can penetrate deep into the body and reach the tissue where blood cells are made, raising questions about potential effects on blood cell production and immune function.
The health implications of human exposure to microplastics (MPs) have raised significant concerns. While evidence indicates MPs can accumulate in closed human organs like the heart, placenta, and blood, there is no available data on MP exposure specifically within the human bone marrow. To fill the research gap, this study detected the concentration of microplastics (MPs) in bone marrow samples by pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and assessed the size range and morphological characteristics of MPs by Laser Direct Infrared Spectroscopy (LD-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our study shows that MPs were present in all 16 bone marrow samples, with an average concentration of 51.29 µg/g ranging from 15.37 µg/g to 92.05 µg/g. Five polymer types-polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyadiohexylenediamine 66 (PA66), and polypropylene (PP), were identified. PE was the most frequent polymer detected in the bone marrow, with an average concentration of 30.02 µg/g ranging from 14.77 µg/g to 52.57 µg/g, with a detection rate of 93.75 %. PS had the highest detection rate at 100 % of bone marrow samples, while PVC and PA66 were found in 75 % of samples each. LD-IR analysis revealed the identification of 25 polymer types, with an average abundance of 19.72 particles/g. Of these, 89.82 % of the MPs were smaller than 100 µm. In summary, this study has, for the first time, demonstrated the presence of MPs are deeply embedded within human bone marrow, providing a basis for future investigations into their potential toxicological effects and underlying mechanisms affecting the hematopoietic system.
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This study is the first to find microplastics in human bones, cartilage, and spinal discs, with the highest concentrations found in spinal discs. The most common plastics detected were polypropylene and polystyrene, and animal experiments confirmed that microplastics can reach skeletal tissues through the bloodstream. Exposure triggered inflammatory markers in the blood, suggesting microplastics in bones could contribute to skeletal health problems.
Polymer-Specific Quantification of Circulating Microplastics in Healthy and Immunocompromised Individuals
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles in the blood of all people they tested, but people with weakened immune systems had slightly higher levels than healthy people. The plastic pieces likely come from everyday items and medical equipment, and people with compromised immune systems may have trouble clearing them from their bodies. This research shows that microplastics are now circulating in human blood, though we still don't know what health effects this might have.
Isolation and characterization of microplastics from human blood samples by confocal RAMAN microscopy
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Scientists have developed a new method to reliably detect tiny plastic particles called microplastics in human blood samples. Using this technique, they found plastic particles from materials like polystyrene and polyethylene in blood, confirming that these microscopic plastics can enter our bloodstream. While we still don't know the full health effects, this research gives us better tools to study how much plastic pollution is getting into our bodies and potentially affecting our health.
Preliminary study on impacts of polystyrene microplastics on the hematological system and gene expression in bone marrow cells of mice
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Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the blood system and bone marrow gene expression in mice. They found that higher doses significantly decreased white blood cell counts and altered gene expression patterns in bone marrow cells, suggesting that microplastic exposure may affect the hematological system in mammals through changes in immune-related gene regulation.
Micro- and nano-plastics in skeletal tissues: detection, biological effects, and proposed mechanisms
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Scientists have found tiny plastic particles—called microplastics and nanoplastics—inside human bones, bone marrow, and joints, and this review pulls together what we currently know about what that might mean for our health. Early animal and lab studies suggest these particles could interfere with how bones rebuild themselves, worsen arthritis, and even affect blood cell production, likely by triggering inflammation and cellular stress. That said, this is a summary of early-stage research, not final proof—scientists still need better tools to measure these particles and confirm whether they actually cause bone problems in people.
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