Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in human blood: Polymer types, concentrations and characterisation using μFTIR

Scientists analyzed blood from 20 healthy volunteers and found microplastics in 90% of samples, identifying 24 different plastic types including many reported for the first time in blood. The particles were mostly small fragments averaging about 128 micrometers long, and the study also detected hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates attached to the plastics. This adds to growing evidence that a wide variety of plastic particles are circulating in human blood.

2024 Environment International 178 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitation of micro and nanoplastics in human blood by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Researchers developed and validated an improved method using pyrolysis-gas chromatography to measure specific plastic polymer types in human blood, detecting plastics in 64 out of 68 blood samples tested with a mean concentration of 268 nanograms per milliliter. Polyethylene was the most common polymer found, underscoring that microplastic and nanoplastic particles are already circulating inside the human body.

2024 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 77 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic particles in human blood and their association with coagulation markers

In a study of 36 healthy adults, microplastics were detected in the blood of 89% of participants, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. Higher microplastic levels were associated with changes in blood clotting markers, suggesting that plastic particles in our bloodstream may affect how our blood coagulates, though larger studies are needed to confirm this link.

2024 Scientific Reports 72 citations
Article Tier 2

Study of Microplastics in Human Blood

This study reviewed findings on microplastic contamination in human blood, noting that particles have been detected in the majority of samples tested, while the health consequences remain unclear and warrant urgent further investigation.

2023 International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Polymer-Specific Quantification of Circulating Microplastics in Healthy and Immunocompromised Individuals

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.

2026
Article Tier 2

Isolation and characterization of microplastics from human blood samples by confocal RAMAN microscopy

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.

2026 MethodsX
Article Tier 2

Recognition and detection technology for microplastic, its source and health effects

This review summarizes current knowledge about detecting microplastics and their effects on human health, covering methods like FTIR spectroscopy and Raman imaging. The authors highlight that micro- and nanoplastics can cause a range of health problems including oxidative stress, reduced reproductive ability, inflammation, and damage to the circulatory and respiratory systems. The review emphasizes the urgent need for better detection methods so that researchers and regulators can accurately assess how much microplastic people are actually exposed to.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in human urine: Characterisation using μFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants

Researchers analyzed urine samples from healthy individuals and endometriosis patients, detecting microplastics in the majority of both groups, with 22 different polymer types found. While microplastic levels were not significantly different between the two groups, the finding that plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PTFE are being excreted in human urine confirms that these particles are circulating through the body.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 68 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Systemic Accumulation and Distribution of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Human Tissues and Their Impact on Health: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesizes human evidence on the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in body tissues and fluids, including blood, lungs, placenta, breast milk, and liver. The research confirms that plastic particles can cross biological barriers and accumulate in multiple organ systems. While the long-term health effects are still being studied, the widespread presence of plastics inside the human body raises significant health concerns.

2026 Open Science Framework
Article Tier 2

Pigment microparticles and microplastics found in human thrombi based on Raman spectral evidence

This study provides the first direct photographic and chemical evidence of microplastics and pigment microparticles inside human blood clots (thrombi). A large number of non-soluble synthetic particles were found accumulated in arterial tissue, suggesting that the health risks of microparticle exposure have been underestimated. The findings raise serious questions about whether microplastics circulating in the bloodstream could contribute to blood clot formation and cardiovascular events.

2022 Journal of Advanced Research 301 citations
Article Tier 2

MicroRaman spectroscopy detects the presence of microplastics in human urine and kidney tissue

Scientists confirmed for the first time that microplastics accumulate in human kidney tissue, finding 26 plastic particles in kidney and urine samples using advanced spectroscopy. The most common plastics found were polyethylene and polystyrene, with particles ranging from 1 to 29 micrometers in kidneys, providing the first direct evidence that microplastics can deposit in human kidneys.

2024 Environment International 172 citations
Article Tier 2

[Research Progress on Characteristics of Human Microplastic Pollution and Health Risks].

This review summarizes current knowledge about microplastic contamination in the human body, finding that particles smaller than 50 micrometers are most commonly detected, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET being the dominant types. Evidence indicates that microplastics enter humans mainly through food, water, and air, and may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of gut bacteria.

2024 PubMed 5 citations
Article Tier 2

The landscape of micron-scale particles including microplastics in human enclosed body fluids

Researchers conducted the first comprehensive survey of micron-scale particles, including microplastics, across thirteen types of human body fluids spanning eight organ systems. They detected microparticles in multiple enclosed body fluids, with polyethylene and polyamide among the most common plastic types found. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure in humans is more widespread than previously understood, with particles reaching diverse internal compartments.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 123 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracing Microplastics in the Human Body: From Detection to Disease Mechanisms

This review traces the detection of microplastics across multiple human tissues — from nasal lavage and bronchoalveolar fluid to blood and lung tissue — and examines the disease mechanisms linking plastic particle accumulation to respiratory, cardiovascular, and other systemic health effects.

2025 Diagnostics
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the presence of MNPs within the human body

This review synthesized data across multiple studies on micro- and nanoplastic occurrence in human blood, saliva, and urine, identifying polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene as the most frequently detected polymers. The findings underscore the pervasive internal human exposure to MNPs via multiple routes.

2025 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Microplastic identification using Raman microsocpy

Researchers developed and implemented a Raman spectroscopy system for rapid detection and identification of microplastic particles on substrates. The system enables efficient chemical characterization of microplastics found across diverse environmental matrices including ocean, lakes, soil, beach sediment, and human blood.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study

In this pilot study, researchers detected microplastics in human vein tissue for the first time, finding an average of about 15 particles per gram in saphenous vein samples from surgical patients. Five different types of plastic polymers were identified, with alkyd resin being the most common. While the sample size was small, the study adds to growing evidence that microplastics are accumulating in human cardiovascular tissue, not just in the blood.

2023 PLoS ONE 136 citations
Article Tier 2

Fast-screening flow cytometry method for detecting nanoplastics in human peripheral blood

Researchers developed a fast-screening flow cytometry method for detecting nanoplastics in human peripheral blood, addressing the previously uncharacterized question of nanoplastic absorption in human subjects. The method enables detection of polydisperse nanoplastic particles ranging from 1 to 1000 nm in blood samples, providing a clinical screening tool to investigate human exposure to plastic particles and their potential effects on xenobiotic metabolism, nutrient absorption, and cytotoxicity.

2022 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure and Health Effects of Microplastics in Humans

This doctoral thesis investigates exposure levels and health effects of microplastics in humans, synthesizing analytical chemistry and toxicological evidence on microplastic presence in human tissues and their potential biological impacts.

2025 Dipòsit Digital de la Universitat de Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the Lung Tissues Associated with Blood Test Index

Researchers analyzed lung tissue from 12 nonsmoking patients and found microplastics in all samples, with 12 different plastic types detected and polypropylene being the most common. Women and people living near major roads had higher microplastic levels in their lungs, and the amounts correlated with changes in blood clotting markers. This study provides direct evidence that microplastics accumulate in human lungs and may affect blood health, even in people who have never smoked.

2023 Toxics 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Multimodal detection and analysis of microplastics in human thrombi from multiple anatomically distinct sites

This study used multiple detection methods to find and analyze microplastics in blood clots (thrombi) collected from different locations in the human body. The detection of microplastics within blood clots from various anatomical sites suggests that plastic particles may play a role in clot formation. This research adds to mounting evidence linking microplastic presence in the cardiovascular system to potential heart and stroke risks.

2024 EBioMedicine 100 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Harmful Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Body Systems: A Systematic Review

A new review of 30 studies found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are now widespread in human bodies, showing up in blood, lungs, and other organs. Higher levels of these plastic particles were linked to more severe disease in the heart, lungs, digestive system, and reproductive organs. This research suggests that the plastic pollution around us may be harming our health, though more studies are needed to prove these plastics directly cause disease.

2026 Diseases
Article Tier 2

Label-free human-disease characterization through circulating cell free DNA analysis using Raman Spectroscopy

Not relevant to microplastics — this study uses Raman spectroscopy to analyse cell-free DNA in blood as a diagnostic tool for cancer and diabetes, with no connection to microplastic research.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Post-mortem evidence of microplastic bioaccumulation in human organs: insights from advanced imaging and spectroscopic analysis

Researchers examined tissue samples from deceased individuals and found microplastics in the brain, liver, thyroid, kidney, heart, muscle, and lungs, with the thyroid, kidney, and brain showing the highest contamination at up to 40 particles per gram of tissue. Nanoscale plastic particles smaller than 0.02 micrometers were also detected, indicating that the tiniest plastics can cross biological barriers and accumulate deep in human organs.

2025 Archives of Toxicology 18 citations