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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Medical exposure to micro(nano)plastics: An exposure pathway with potentially significant harm to human health that should not be overlooked.
ClearPlastic 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.
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.
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.
Characteristics and influencing factors of microplastics entering human blood through intravenous injection
This study found that common medical devices used for intravenous injections -- syringes, infusion sets, and vein needles -- release microplastics directly into patients' bloodstreams. The dominant particles were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments, and repeated use of devices significantly increased the amount released. While the total number of particles entering the body this way is lower than from food, the direct injection into blood makes this exposure pathway especially concerning.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastic in perfusion: the hidden risk and how to address it
This commentary addresses the emerging concern that cardiopulmonary bypass circuits and other extracorporeal circulation systems release significant levels of micro- and nanoplastics into patients during medical procedures. The authors note that the same properties making plastics ideal for medical tubing also make their degradation products potentially harmful. The study calls for further research into the clinical implications of plastic particle exposure during these increasingly common medical interventions.
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.
Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the kidney and cardiovascular system
This review summarizes evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics found in human hearts, kidneys, blood, and urine can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and metabolic disruption. Kidney dialysis patients may face especially high exposure, and clinical evidence suggests particulate plastic exposure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in haemodialysis waters: Emerging threats to be in our radar
This study investigated whether kidney dialysis patients are being exposed to micro and nanoplastics during their treatments, since they process 300 to 600 liters of water per week. The researchers found several potential contamination points in the dialysis process and estimated that even with 99% filtration, plastic particles could still reach patients' kidneys. This is especially concerning because dialysis patients already have compromised kidney function and may be more vulnerable to plastic particle exposure.
Identification and quantification of micro–nano-plastics in polypropylene-bottled injections
Researchers examined 16 batches of intravenous (IV) fluids packaged in polypropylene plastic bottles and found microplastic and nanoplastic particles in all of them, with concentrations reaching up to 10 million particles per milliliter. This is the first study to confirm that patients receiving IV infusions are being directly exposed to microplastics entering their bloodstream, though whether this causes harm remains to be studied.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastic injection? Identification and quantification of plastic particles in medical injections
Scientists discovered that medical injection solutions (saline and glucose) sold in China contain an average of 895 microplastic particles per kilogram, with some samples reaching 1,840 particles. Unlike microplastics ingested through food, these particles enter the bloodstream directly through IV injection, bypassing the body's digestive barriers. This reveals a previously unrecognized pathway for microplastic exposure that could pose unique health risks for hospitalized patients.
The Hidden Health Crisis: Microplastics and Their Medical Consequences
This review summarizes what is known about how microplastics enter the human body through food, water, and air, and the health problems they may cause. Microplastics can carry toxic chemicals like heavy metals and endocrine disruptors, and their physical presence in tissues has been linked to inflammation. The authors stress that doctors should consider microplastic exposure when evaluating chronic conditions, and call for stronger regulations to reduce plastic pollution.
Microplastics Entry into the Blood by Infusion Therapy: Few but a Direct Pathway
Researchers tested infusion therapy equipment including glass bottles, plastic bottles, plastic bags, and tubes for microplastic contamination. They found microplastics in about 12% of samples, with particles ranging from 4 to 148 micrometers in size. Although the amounts were small, the study shows that IV infusions could be a direct route for microplastics to enter the bloodstream, which may partly explain why microplastics have been found in human blood.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in healthcare: environmental persistence, health implications, and professional awareness
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics have infiltrated ecosystems, food, water, and even human tissues, with particular focus on their relevance to healthcare settings — especially dentistry and orthodontics — where extensive plastic use generates microplastic debris from single-use items and clear aligners.
Unveiling hidden contaminants: a systematic quantification and characterization of microplastics in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis fluids
Researchers systematically analyzed hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis fluids for microplastic contamination and found plastic particles, predominantly fibers, in all tested samples. The microplastics were identified using advanced spectroscopic techniques and included polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns about chronic microplastic exposure in dialysis patients, who are exposed to large volumes of these fluids over time.
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.
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.
Microplastics: Omnipresent and an ongoing challenge for medical science
This commentary reviews evidence that micro- and nanoplastics are found in human body fluids and tissues and calls for greater engagement from medical science to assess potential health risks and develop diagnostic approaches.