Researchers detect micro- and nanoplastics in human organs, tissues

Researchers from Arizona State University have found microplastics and nanoplastics in human organs and tissues in a small-scale study, according to a presentation at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Scientists define microplastics as plastic fragments less than 5 mm, or about 0.2 inches, in diameter. Nanoplastics are even smaller, with diameters less than 0.050 mm. Research in wildlife and animal models has linked micro- and nanoplastic exposure to infertility, inflammation and cancer, but health outcomes in people are currently unknown. Previous studies have shown that plastics can pass through the human gastrointestinal tract, but Charles Rolsky and Varun Kelkar are studying if the tiny particles accumulate in human organs and how to detect them. Rolsky is a postdoctoral scholar and Kelkar is a graduate student in the lab of Rolf Halden, Ph.D., at Arizona State University.

To find out, the researchers collaborated with Diego Mastroeni, Ph.D., to obtain samples from a large repository of brain and body tissues that was established to study neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Samples were taken from lungs, liver, adipose tissue, spleen and kidneys – organs likely to be exposed to, filter or collect plastic monomers and microplastics. To develop a method and test it, the team spiked nano/microplastic beads into this sample set. Then, they analyzed the sample with flow cytometry. With this procedure, the researchers showed that they could detect the beads that they introduced into these samples.

The researchers also created a computer program that converted information on plastic particle count into units of mass and surface area, and plan to share the tool online so that other researchers can report their results in a standardized manner. “This shared resource will help build a plastic exposure database so that we can compare exposures in organs and groups of people over time and geographic space,” Halden said. The flow cytometry method allowed the researchers to show that they can detect nano/microplastics from tissues to which these had been added. The researchers also demonstrated the use of μ-Raman spectrometry to study environmental contamination with microplastics, including polycarbonate, polyethylene, and PET.

Next, the researchers used another method called mass spectrometry to analyze 47 human liver and fat tissue samples. These samples were not spiked with plastics. The team found plastic contamination in the form of monomers, or plastic building blocks, in every sample. Bisphenol A (BPA), still used in many food containers despite health concerns, was found in all 47 human samples.

The researchers believe their study is the first to examine monomer, nano- and microplastic occurrence in human organs from individuals with a known history of environmental exposure. “The tissue donors provided detailed information on their lifestyle, diet and occupational exposures,” Halden said. “Because these donors have such well-defined histories, our study provides the first clues on potential micro- and nanoplastic exposure sources and routes.”

As to whether or not people should be concerned about the high detection frequency of plastic components in human tissues, the researchers are advising a wait-and-see approach. “We never want to be alarmist, but it is concerning that these non-biodegradable materials that are present everywhere can enter and accumulate in human tissues, and we don’t know the possible health effects,” Kelkar said. “Once we get a better idea of what’s in the tissues, we can conduct epidemiological studies to assess human health outcomes. That way, we can start to understand the potential health risks, if any.”