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Microplastics in human feces and their correlation with dietary behavior: A pilot study

Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring 2024
Damaris Benny Daniel, Alice Refosco, Oda Cathrine Lunne Mastad, Tanja Kögel, Simon N. Dankel, Alessio Gomiero, Jutta Dierkes

Summary

This pilot study analyzed microplastics in human fecal samples and examined correlations with dietary habits, finding that seafood and packaged food consumption were associated with higher fecal microplastic counts. The results provide early evidence linking diet to human microplastic exposure levels.

Body Systems
Models

The global surge in plastic pollution has raised significant environmental concerns in recent decades. Subsequently, microplastics (MPs) have been detected in various environmental matrices and food chains, prompting investigations into potential human exposure. Evidence suggests that humans are ingesting MPs through several foods and beverage sources. Moreover, recent studies have reported the presence of MPs in selected human samples, including fecal matter. Fecal analysis provides a non-invasive method for detecting MP ingestion, yet research on MPs in feces, particularly their association with human diet, remains limited. This is a pilot study to provide evidence of microplastic presence in the human gastrointestinal tract through fecal analysis and evaluate its correlation with human dietary habits.

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