Introduction

Microplastics used in food packaging and paint were first discovered in the human heart.

The Presence of Microplastics

Particles of single-use plastic, such as bottles and food packaging, less than five millimeters long are thrown away and then released into the air, water and food around us.

A team at Beijing’s Anjin Hospital in China collected heart tissue samples from 15 patients who had undergone heart surgery, in addition to blood samples taken before and after surgery. Microplastics were found in all blood and heart tissue samples. It is believed to have been inhaled or swallowed. In the blood, plastic can stick to the outer membranes of red blood cells and interfere with their ability to carry oxygen.

They have also been linked to the development of cancer, heart disease and dementia, as well as fertility problems. The cells are unable to break down the plastic particles in the body, leading to massive inflammation.

Ingestion during Surgery

This comes after a recent study found that the average person inhales microplastics every week.

After surgery, blood samples from study participants contained smaller types of plastic, but on a larger scale, suggesting some microplastics were ingested during surgery.

Nine types of plastic were found in five types of heart tissue, and tens to thousands of tiny plastic pieces were found using laser and infrared imaging, but the amount differed from one patient to another.

Types of Microplastics Found

Microscopic particles of polymethyl methacrylate — a plastic commonly used as a substitute for safety glass — were found in three different parts of the heart, and the researchers said they could not be attributed to accidental exposure during surgery.

Other plastics discovered include polyethylene terephthalate, which is used in clothing and food containers, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is found in window frames, downpipes, paint, and more.

Concerns and Further Research

The scientists wrote: “Detection (microplastics) in vivo is a concern and further research is needed to investigate how it enters heart tissue and its potential impact on long-term prognosis after heart surgery.”

They added that their study, published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, shows that invasive medical procedures such as heart surgery are an overlooked route for plastic to enter the body.

Global Presence of Microplastics

Microplastics have been found in even the most isolated parts of the world, including the Alps, Antarctica, and Everest’s death zone.

Scientists have previously found microplastics in the lungs, brains, and blood of living and dead people, but how much plastic enters our bodies is still a matter of debate.

Particles can enter the human body through the mouth, nose, and other entrances.

There are fears that this could lead to children being dangerously underweight.

Source

Source: Daily Mail