Microplastics Detected in Human Hearts for the First Time

• 18 Aug 2023

Recently, a startling discovery have been made where microplastics, a growing menace on Earth due to plastic pollution, have now been identified in the human heart tissue for the first time.

Key Points

• Microplastics Invade Human Hearts: Microplastics, minuscule plastic particles, have been detected in the human heart tissue for the very first time.
• Widespread Microplastic Presence: The study unveiled that the examined tissue samples contained numerous individual microplastic particles.
• These microplastics were identified in most of the tissue samples, indicating their pervasive presence.
• Intrusion into Blood Samples: Notably, plastic fragments were identified not only in heart tissue but also in blood samples taken from the patients.
• Polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PET and PVC plastics, were among the detected microplastic types.
• Alarming Implications for Human Health: The research team expressed deep concern over the detection of microplastics in living human bodies.
• Indirect Health Impact of Microplastics: Microplastics, smaller than 5 millimeters, can enter the human body through various passages, including the mouth and nose.
• These particles have been linked indirectly to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and chronic liver disease due to their influence on the gastrointestinal tract.