Microplastic found in human blood

Microplastic has been found in human blood for the first time, according to new research.

PET plastic, typically used for water bottles, was the most prevalent and found in 50% of the subjects tested, with polystyrene (used in Styrofoam and similar packaging) and polyethylene (used in plastic bags) detected in  in 33% and 25% of samples respectively. 

One or more types of plastic were detected in 80% of the people sampled.

The study was conducted on 22 healthy adults by researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and makes a strong case that further research is needed.

Concerns about the effects on children who are more vulnerable to effects of chemicals and particles, the accumulation of plastic in organs, the toxicity of the plastic as it is subjected to the human environment are all topics of interest.

Learn more from The Guardian, or read the original research in Science Direct.