United States (U.S.) scientists found microplastic and nano plastic particles trapped in human organs such as samples of liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys. They added that about 47 human organs contained tiny plastics. 

Microplastic Pollutants Found Inside Human Organs Including Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, and Lungs
(Photo : Screenshot from Twitter post of @DrawingUnited)
Microplastic Pollutants Found Inside Human Organs Including Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, and Lungs

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Earth has been dramatically affected by microplastic pollution. The Alpine soils, Arctic snow, and even the deepest oceans are polluted by the human-made plastics, which carry harmful microbes and toxic chemicals that harm marine mammals and other sea creatures. 

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Animals are not the only ones affected by the pollutants; even humans are in danger since it can be consumed through breathing, eating, and drinking water. However, there are currently no studies that explain the impact of plastic pollutants on human health.

The researchers acquired the human organ samples from a tissue bank, which was built to study neurodegenerative diseases. They identified a dozen types of plastic, including the polyethylene used in plastic bags and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in plastic drinks bottles.

Other chemicals researchers found in all 47 samples

Chemical bisphenol A (BPA) was found by the researchers in all 47 samples. BPA concerns the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency since it is a developmental, reproductive, and systematic toxicant in animal studies.

Microplastic Pollutants Found Inside Human Organs Including Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, and Lungs

(Photo : Screenshot from Twitter post of @MelanieBergma18)
Microplastic Pollutants Found Inside Human Organs Including Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, and Lungs

The 47 samples include lung, spleen, kidney, and liver tissue since these organs are likely to collect microplastics or exposed to them. Although the study results were presented at the American Chemical Society's meeting on Monday, Aug. 17, the research was not peer-reviewed.

"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," said the researcher ata Arizona State University, U.S., and part of the research team, Varun Kelkar.

"We don't know the possible health effects," added Kelkar.

He also said that they could conduct epidemiological studies to assess human health outcomes once the team of scientists have a better understanding of the tissue samples.

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

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