Plastic pollution permeates our planet, and now it's invading human bodies. For the first time, U.S. researchers from Arizona State University have confirmed micro- and nanoplastics in human tissues across multiple organs.
Studies have documented plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, mountains, sea ice, plants, animals—and now humans. A 2019 WWF report revealed that individuals ingest up to 2,000 microplastic particles weekly, equivalent to a credit card's weight (5 grams). Over a lifetime, that's roughly 20 kg.
Presented at the American Chemical Society Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting & Expo (video at article end), this Arizona State University study analyzed 47 human organ samples from a neurodegenerative disease tissue bank. Alarmingly, micro- and nanoplastics were found in the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs. Though pending peer review, these results align with expert suspicions drawn from extensive environmental research.
Plastic waste harbors numerous chemicals with known harm to marine life. For humans, potential toxicological risks—including elevated cancer and infertility rates—require further epidemiological validation. Exposure occurs via food, water, and air.
The study identified dozens of plastic types, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from bottles and bags, plus bisphenol A (BPA), often underestimated in the body. Next steps involve correlating findings with donors' lifestyles, diets, and occupations to link plastics to health outcomes.
