Microplastics have been detected in human blood for the first time, according to a study that may indicate the potential for such particles to travel to organs.
Scientists found 17 out of the 22 healthy people they took samples from had quantifiable amounts of plastic particles in their blood. Researchers said further study is needed to determine the health risks of the materials.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and can be found in things ranging from marine animals to drinking water, though the World Health Organization has said there’s insufficient information to draw firm conclusions about how toxic they are for people and more research is needed.