Microplastics in Human Blood | 30 Mar 2022

Why in News?

Tiny particles of plastics, called Microplastics, were detected in human blood for the first time, according to a study by a group of researchers in the Netherlands.

• The researchers adapted existing techniques to detect and analyze particles that were as small as 700 nanometers in size.
• They targeted five common plastics, including Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene.

What does the Study Say?

• The scientists analysed blood samples from 22 anonymous donors, all healthy adults and found plastic particles in 17.
  
  • Half the samples contained PET plastic, which is commonly used in drinks bottles.
  • A third contained polystyrene, used for packaging food and other products.
  • A quarter of the blood samples contained polyethylene, from which plastic carrier bags are made.
• This is the first indication that we have polymer particles in blood.
  
  • Previous work had shown that microplastics were 10 times higher in the faeces of babies compared with adults and that babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day.
• The particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs. The impact on health is as yet unknown.
• The results support the hypothesis that human exposure to plastic particles results in the absorption of particles into the bloodstream, but further study is needed to assess the impacts of exposure and whether it is a public health risk.

What are the Concerns related to Microplastics?

• Microplastics can latch on to the outer membranes of red blood cells and may limit their ability to transport oxygen.
• The particles have also been found in the placentas of pregnant women, and in pregnant rats they pass rapidly through the lungs into the hearts, brains and other organs of the foetuses.
• Microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory and air pollution particles are already known to enter the body and cause millions of early deaths a year.
  
  • In general, babies and young children are more vulnerable to chemical and particle exposure.

Way Forward

• Combination of Degradation Mechanisms: A combination of photo and biological degradation systems for effective and complete decomposition of microplastics has been suggested.
• International Collaboration: Plastic waste around the world demands a new global treaty modelled on the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
  
  • The global problem of plastics will only be solved if all countries and decision-making policies decide to monitor microplastics along their respective coasts and also implement orders to use only biodegradable plastics.
• Reducing Plastic Consumption: Plastic consumption can be reduced to ensure the reduction in the level of microplastic pollution.
  
  • Government, industry and the community shall work together to significantly reduce the amount of litter seen along beaches and in oceans.
  • Personal initiatives such as zero-waste trips, shunning disposable and using own utensils, quitting the use of bottled water and giving up plastic packaging are some of the steps that every citizen can take to curb microplastic pollution.
• Economic Support for Recycling Projects: The economical support including tax rebates, R&D funds, technology incubation, Public-Private Partnerships and support to projects that recycle single-use items and turn waste into a resource can be enforced.

Source: TH