American researchers claim to be the first to demonstrate the presence of monomers, nano and microplastics in human organs. Laboratory research has already shown that microplastics can pass through the intestinal wall. The scientists suspected that these microplastics could then accumulate in liver, kidney, lung, spleen, and fatty tissue.
The researchers, affiliated with Arizona State University, presented their findings earlier this month at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting & Expo. Their work has not yet been published.
First, the researchers used the organs of deceased people, in which they applied micro- and nanoplastics, as a test for their technique. With flow cytometry they succeeded in detecting those particles. Their intention is to offer this technique online, together with a separately developed computer program that translates the information into units, mass and surface area. In this way a worldwide database can be built up with information about exposures in organs of different groups of people, measured in time and per location. Based on this, epidemiological studies can be carried out that answer the question of whether there are relationships between the presence of microplastics in organs and human health.
After the successful test, the researchers used another method, mass spectrometry, to analyze 47 human liver and adipose tissue samples. With this method, the researchers did not detect plastic particles, but building blocks of plastics were found in all samples, such as the hormone disrupting substance Bisphenol A (BPA). Much is known of the deceased donors about their way of life. This can provide useful information about the conditions under which the microplastics end up in the organs.
Published by plasticsoupfoundation.org
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