New Study Uncovers Presence of Microplastics in Heart Tissues of Individuals Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Microplastics are plastic fragments measuring less than 5 millimetres in width, roughly the size of a pencil eraser.

Research has indicated that these fragments can enter the human body through the mouth, nostrils, and other bodily cavities connected to the external environment. Nevertheless, multiple organs and tissues remain enclosed within the body, and researchers lack comprehensive data regarding their potential exposure to microplastics and the resulting effects, as outlined in the study published by the American Chemical Society.

In a preliminary experiment, a team of researchers gathered heart tissue samples from 15 patients during cardiac surgeries. Additionally, they collected pre- and post-operative blood specimens from half of the participants. Subsequently, the team scrutinised these samples using laser direct infrared imaging and identified particles ranging from 20 to 500 micrometres in width, composed of eight different plastic types including polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and poly(methyl methacrylate).

"Through this technique, numerous individual microplastic fragments were detected in most of the tissue samples, albeit the quantities and materials exhibited variations amongst participants. The blood samples also contained plastic particles, yet post-surgery, their average size decreased, and the particles emanated from a more diverse range of plastic types," the researchers noted.

Furthermore, they highlighted that their findings underscore the oversight of invasive medical procedures, which grant direct access to both the bloodstream and internal tissues, as a pathway for microplastics exposure.

"Further investigations are imperative to comprehensively comprehend the impact of microplastics on an individual’s cardiovascular system and their prognosis subsequent to heart surgery," the researchers concluded.

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The above article has been published from a wire source with minimal modifications to the headline and text.