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Unraveling micro/nanoplastics and phthalates in infusion solutions: A novel integrated approach for quantification and cardiovascular cytotoxicity evaluation
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Researchers developed a new method to detect and measure micro- and nanoplastics in medical infusion solutions (IV bags) and found significant contamination in commonly used glucose and saline fluids. Nanoplastics dominated the contamination, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene detected alongside phthalate chemicals that showed a strong correlation with plastic particle levels. The study suggests that IV therapy may be an overlooked route of direct plastic particle exposure into the bloodstream, and that combined exposure to nanoplastics and phthalates can have synergistic toxic effects on cardiovascular cells.
Infusion therapy represents a critical and emerging exposure pathway for micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), with significant implications for human health. However, accurate and simultaneous analytical methods for MNPs in infusion solutions are still underdeveloped, and the potential co-exposure to MNPs and phthalates (PAEs) has not been fully explored. This study presents a novel integrated analytical approach combining Cloud-Point Extraction with Pyrolysis-Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, enabling efficient extraction and precise quantification of MNPs from commonly used glucose and saline infusions, with MNP recovery rates ranging from 96.74 % to 108.25 %. Our results reveal the presence of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) MMPs are present in PP-based infusion, with median concentrations from 30.45 to 125.27 μg/L. Notably, nanoplastics (NPs) dominate, with PE-, PP-, and PS-NPs detected at median concentrations of 29.09 and 87.54 μg/L. Additionally, ten different PAEs were identified, with a significant positive correlation between Diamyl phthalate and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and MNPs. Co-exposure to PS-NPs and DEHP further demonstrates the synergistic toxic effects in vitro. These findings highlight the pervasive contamination of infusions by MNPs and PAEs, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced regulatory measures and advanced technologies to mitigate the health risks associated with these contaminants in medical products.
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