Microplastics found in humans for first time

Microplastics have been found in humans for the first time, leading to fears they could be causing health and fertility problems. Although previous studies have calculated that Europeans could ingest as many as 11,000 tiny pieces of plastic a year, through consuming seafood or accidentally eating packaging, it has never been proven until Austrian scientists tested people from eight countries.

MICROPLASTICS have been found in humans for the first time leading to fears they could be causing a raft of health and fertility problems.

Although previous studies have calculated that Europeans could ingest as many as 11,000 tiny pieces of plastic a year, through consuming seafood or accidentally eating bits of packaging, it has never been proven until now.

Scientists at the Austrian Environment Agency and the University of Vienna analysed stool samples of people from eight countries and found every one contained microplastics.

In some cases nine different types of plastic were found in a single sample. On average, 20 microplastic particles per 10g of human waste were found.

“This is the first study of its kind and confirms ... that plastics ultimately reach the human gut,” said Dr Philipp Schwabl, the lead researcher who presented the findings at the United European Gastroenterology meeting.

“While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the bloodstream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. We need further research to understand what this means for human health.”

Microplastics are particles of plastic less than 5mm and are used in various products. They also form when large pieces break down through weathering, degradation or wear and tear.

Microplastics – shed by everything from synthetic clothing to road paint – are present in 83 per cent of tap water samples, all German beers and even in European rainwater, studies show.

Experts fear that microplastics in the body may damage the immune system, trigger inflammation, and can help carry toxins such as mercury or pesticides into the body. In sea mammals, it is believed plastics damage fertility.

The study looked at eight individuals from Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the UK and Austria. Their food diaries showed that all were exposed to plastics during the week either by consuming plasticwrapped foods or drinking from plastic bottles. Six of them consumed sea fish, that often consume microplastics.

Dr Stephanie Wright, a research fellow at King’s College London, said: “The fact that so many different polymers were measured suggests a wide range of contamination sources. What is of concern is whether this size range reflects our true exposure, or if smaller sizes are being retained or are able to cross over the gut wall.

“What may be of greater concern for these large microplastics, is whether any associated chemical contaminants leach off during gut passage and accumulate in tissues.”