Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in cardiopulmonary bypass: quantification and characterization of particles across systems

Researchers measured microplastic contamination generated by cardiopulmonary bypass machines used during heart surgery and found significant levels of plastic particles across the systems tested. The study characterized the types and quantities of microplastics produced during machine operation. The findings raise questions about patient exposure to microplastics during cardiac procedures and highlight the need for further research into whether these particles have clinical significance.

2025 Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in cardiopulmonary bypass: quantification and characterisation of particles across systems

Researchers quantified microplastics generated during conventional and minimally invasive cardiopulmonary bypass circuits in vitro, finding that both systems shed detectable MPs into circulating fluid, with particle characteristics varying between circuit designs.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Micronanoplastic exposure due to cardiopulmonary bypass in children: A prospective observational study.

A prospective observational study in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) found measurable levels of micronanoplastics (MNPs) in blood samples collected after bypass. The study demonstrated that CPB circuits made of plastic components release MNPs directly into the bloodstream during surgery.

2025 Journal of hazardous materials
Article Tier 2

Medical exposure to micro(nano)plastics: An exposure pathway with potentially significant harm to human health that should not be overlooked.

This paper identifies medical procedures — including intravenous infusions, dialysis, and surgical implants — as an underrecognized pathway for direct human exposure to micro- and nano-plastics. The authors argue that the medical community needs to assess and reduce plastic particle exposure from clinical materials and devices.

2024 The Science of the total environment
Article Tier 2

Spallation and particles infusion into the extracorporeal circuit during CRRT: a preventable phenomenon

Researchers found that plastic tubing and fluid bags used in continuous kidney replacement therapy (CRRT) shed tiny plastic microparticles directly into patients' bloodstreams during treatment. Adding in-line filters to the circuit reduced this particle load, suggesting a practical way to protect critically ill patients from unintended plastic exposure during life-saving procedures.

2024 Scientific Reports 2 citations
Article Tier 2

An Ex Vivo Study Examining Migration of Microplastics from an Infused Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Circuit

This ex vivo study quantified microplastics released from neonatal parenteral nutrition infusion circuits, finding that plastic particles migrate from the tubing and connectors into infused solutions, raising concerns about iatrogenic microplastic exposure in vulnerable neonatal patients.

2024 Environmental Health Perspectives 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Percutaneous coronary intervention leads to microplastics entering the blood: Interventional devices are a major source

Researchers measured microplastic levels in the blood of 23 patients before and after heart stent procedures (percutaneous coronary intervention) and found that microplastic concentrations jumped nearly 19-fold after the procedure. The types of plastics found in the blood matched those detected on the medical devices used during the procedure, confirming that the devices themselves were the source. This study reveals that common medical procedures using plastic equipment may be an overlooked route for microplastics to enter the human bloodstream.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 30 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Plastic particles in medicine: A systematic review of exposure and effects to human health

Medical plastics including bags, containers, and administration sets release micro- and nanoplastics along with chemical additives that can interact with pharmaceutical constituents, creating an understudied route of direct human exposure. Both primary exposure (during medical treatment) and secondary environmental exposure (from hospital plastic waste disposal) represent potential health hazards.

2022 Chemosphere 78 citations
Article Tier 2

Factors affecting micro(nano)plastic release during intravenous therapy: Direct blood exposure.

This study systematically evaluated factors affecting micro(nano)plastic (MNP) release from medical infusion products during intravenous therapy. Results indicated that MNPs are released into IV fluid at measurable levels, potentially delivering plastic particles directly into the bloodstream of patients.

2025 Journal of hazardous materials
Article Tier 2

Microplastic particles and infusion therapy — Evidence, implications, and unanswered questions

This review highlights infusion therapy via medical devices and pharmaceutical containers as a significant but often overlooked route of microplastic exposure in humans. The study emphasizes that despite strict regulations, advances in clinical research have not been fully integrated into current industry testing standards, and calls for a standardized, multi-method approach to microplastic detection and risk assessment in medical settings.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances
Article Tier 2

Unraveling micro/nanoplastics and phthalates in infusion solutions: A novel integrated approach for quantification and cardiovascular cytotoxicity evaluation

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.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 3 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Improving Outcomes Requires Understanding the Problem

This commentary highlights that hemodialysis may inadvertently introduce microplastics and nanoplastics into patients' bloodstreams through the dialysis circuit, compounding the solute dysregulation already present in kidney failure. The authors call for deeper investigation into dialysis-related contaminant exposure alongside uremic solute research, noting that emerging evidence links plastic particles to cardiovascular risks.

2025 Kidney360
Article Tier 2

MPs Entering Human Circulation through Infusions: A Significant Pathway and Health Concern

This study measured the microplastics released by standard intravenous infusion equipment and found approximately 7,500 polypropylene particles per liter of fluid, with most particles between 1 and 20 micrometers in size. Standard filtration built into these medical devices does not fully prevent microplastic contamination. Since these particles enter the bloodstream directly, even small amounts could accumulate in organs like the liver, spleen, and lungs over time.

2025 Environment & Health 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative analysis of microplastics and nanoplastics released from disposable PVC infusion tubes

Researchers measured the micro and nanoplastics released from brand-new disposable PVC infusion tubes used in hospitals, finding that each tube carries nearly 1,000 microplastic particles before any fluid even passes through. When infusion fluids were run through the tubes, they picked up additional particles, with the amount increasing at higher temperatures and longer durations. This means patients receiving IV fluids may be exposed to PVC plastic particles that enter directly into their bloodstream.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics (< 4 μm): An important but ignored concern during intravenous infusion

Researchers found that common IV bags, tubes, and syringes release thousands of tiny plastic particles directly into the bloodstream during routine medical treatments. The particles, smaller than 4 micrometers, included types like PVC and polypropylene and were found in nearly all tested infusion products. This is a significant finding because it identifies a previously overlooked source of microplastic exposure that bypasses the body's natural barriers entirely.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics release from coronary catheters: Insights from catheter analysis

This study examined whether cardiac catheters used in heart procedures release microplastic particles, and found that all 21 catheter samples tested shed microplastics of varying sizes and types. The findings raise important questions about patient safety, since these tiny plastic fragments could enter the bloodstream during routine cardiovascular procedures.

2024 Chemosphere 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Is intravenous infusion an unrecognized route for internal microplastic human exposure? A general assessment

This study discovered that microplastics are present in intravenous (IV) infusion products used in hospitals, identifying a previously unrecognized route of microplastic exposure that bypasses the body's natural barriers. Standard IV filters removed some but not all of the plastic particles. This finding is important because IV-delivered microplastics go directly into the bloodstream, potentially posing a greater risk than microplastics that are eaten or inhaled.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas

Researchers raise methodological concerns about a widely cited study that found microplastics and nanoplastics in arterial plaque, noting that the lack of contamination controls, the unusually small particle sizes detected, and the limited verification methods make it difficult to confirm whether the particles came from inside the body or were introduced during surgery.

2024 New England Journal of Medicine 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in perioperative practice: an emerging concern for surgical safety

This review highlights the emerging concern of microplastics in surgical environments, noting that single-use plastic equipment in operating rooms generates microplastic particles that can contaminate surgical sites and patient tissues, calling for greater awareness of MP exposure risks in perioperative settings.

2025 International Journal of Surgery Open
Article Tier 2

Microplastics release from infusion sets during intravenous infusion induces cardiovascular toxicity

Researchers found that standard medical IV infusion sets release microplastics into patients' bloodstreams during treatment, with acidic or hypertonic drugs and higher temperatures increasing plastic particle release. Experiments showed these released microplastics triggered inflammation, disrupted blood vessel formation, and caused heart defects in zebrafish, raising serious concerns about an overlooked route of microplastic exposure in hospital care.

2026 Environment International
Article Tier 2

Rapid detection of microplastics/nanoplastics directly exposed to blood during intravenous injections via mie scattering spectra

Researchers discovered that medical IV equipment releases microplastics and nanoplastics directly into patients' bloodstreams, with infusion tubing being the primary source at concentrations of about 8.4 micrograms per liter. The particles were mainly PVC fibers from the tubing itself. The study recommends reducing unnecessary IV treatments and discarding the first 12 milliliters of saline from tubing to reduce this previously unrecognized source of direct microplastic exposure to human blood.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Hidden hazards: microplastics in intravenous admixtures and their path into the body

This study investigated microplastic contamination in intravenous (IV) fluid bags used in hospitals, finding that prolonged storage in plastic containers leads to microplastic particles leaching into the solution. This means patients receiving IV treatments may be exposed to microplastics that enter the bloodstream directly, bypassing the body's natural barriers. The findings highlight an overlooked route of microplastic exposure in medical settings that needs further investigation.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro and Nano-plastic particles: What are they and do they effect cardiovascular health?

This review examines the cardiovascular health effects of micro- and nanoplastics, summarizing evidence that these particles have been detected in human tissues including arterial plaques and may promote endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The authors call for further clinical and epidemiological research into cardiac risk.

2024 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics in infusion system remains underexplored: Evidence from detected nanoplastics in hospital-sourced infusion products

Researchers analyzed hospital-sourced infusion products from three brands for nanoplastic contamination using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with dark-field microscopy. The study detected a variety of nanoplastic particles in infusion products, suggesting that intravenous therapy may represent an underexplored pathway for direct nanoplastic exposure in clinical settings.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations