Tiny particles of plastic have been found in human blood for the first time, raising fears about their long-term health effects.
Dutch scientists found 17 of 22 volunteers, or 77%, had “quantifiable” microplastics in their blood.
Levels were low, at an average of 1.6 micrograms (1.6 millionths of a gram) in every millilitre of blood.
But the mere presence of microplastics – fragments of everyday items – in the bloodstream is highly significant.
The most common detected plastic was PET, which is used to make drinks bottles.
It was found in 50% of the volunteers, according to results published in the journal Environment International.
Polystyrene, which is widely used in food packaging, was found in 36% and polyethylene, which is used in packaging films and bags, was found in 23%.
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