Gadgets Africa
  • News
    Senegal blocks internet access amid clashes

    Senegal blocks internet access amid clashes

    Sony CEO warns against 'tricky' cloud gaming

    Sony CEO warns against ‘tricky’ cloud gaming

    AI can wipe out human race - US prof

    AI can wipe out human race – US prof

    Canada warns of increase in cyber attacks

    Canada warns of increase in cyber attacks

    Amazon, Verizon, others to provide free phone services

    Amazon, Verizon, others to provide free phone services

    Digital currency not a 'compelling priority,' says Kenyan Central Bank

    Digital currency not a ‘compelling priority,’ says Kenyan Central Bank

    Japan warns ChatGPT maker OpenAI over data collection

    Japan warns ChatGPT maker OpenAI over data collection

    Twitter's top executive Ella Irwin resigns

    Twitter’s top executive Ella Irwin resigns

    Starlink wins pentagon contract for satellite services to Ukraine

    Starlink wins pentagon contract for satellite services to Ukraine

  • Apps
  • Cryptocurrency
  • featured
  • Telecommunications
  • Gadgets
  • FinTech
  • Tech leaders
Gadgets Africa
No Result
View All Result

Scientists find microplastics in blood for first time

by Agency Report
March 25, 2022
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Telegram

Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, warning that the ubiquitous particles could also be making their way into organs.

The tiny pieces of mostly invisible plastic have already been found almost everywhere else on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains as well as in the air, soil and food chain.

A Dutch study published in the Environment International journal on Thursday examined blood samples from 22 anonymous, healthy volunteers and found microplastics in nearly 80 per cent of them.

Half of the blood samples showed traces of PET plastic, widely used to make drink bottles, while more than a third had polystyrene, used for disposable food containers and many other products.

“This is the first time we have actually been able to detect and quantify” such microplastics in human blood, said Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

“This is proof that we have plastics in our body — and we shouldn’t,” he told AFP, calling for further research to investigate how it could be impacting health.

“Where is it going in your body? Can it be eliminated? Excreted? Or is it retained in certain organs, accumulating maybe, or is it even able to pass the blood-brain barrier?”

The study said the microplastics could have entered the body by many routes: via air, water or food, but also in products such as particular toothpastes, lip glosses and tattoo ink.

“It is scientifically plausible that plastic particles may be transported to organs via the bloodstream,” the study added.

Vethaak also said there could be other kinds of microplastics in blood his study did not pick up — for example, it could not detect particles larger than the diameter of the needle used to take the sample.

The study was funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development as well as Common Seas, a UK-based group aimed at reducing plastic pollution.

Alice Horton, anthropogenic contaminants scientist at Britain’s National Oceanography Centre, said the study “unequivocally” proved there was microplastics in blood.

“This study contributes to the evidence that plastic particles have not just pervaded throughout the environment, but are pervading our bodies too,” she told the Science Media Centre.

Fay Couceiro, reader in biogeochemistry and environmental pollution at the University of Portsmouth, said that despite the small sample size and lack of data on the exposure level of participants, she felt the study was “robust and will stand up to scrutiny”.

She also called for further research.

“After all blood links all the organs of our body and if plastic is there, it could be anywhere in us.”

AFP

Tags: human bloodmicroplastics
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Senegal blocks internet access amid clashes
featured

Senegal blocks internet access amid clashes

by Alex Omenye
June 4, 2023
Sony CEO warns against 'tricky' cloud gaming
News

Sony CEO warns against ‘tricky’ cloud gaming

by Alex Omenye
June 4, 2023
AI can wipe out human race - US prof
News

AI can wipe out human race – US prof

by Alex Omenye
June 3, 2023
Canada warns of increase in cyber attacks
News

Canada warns of increase in cyber attacks

by Alex Omenye
June 3, 2023
Next Post
Big Tech now regulated like banks, says EU antitrust chief

Big Tech now regulated like banks, says EU antitrust chief

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended.

FG seeking funding for science, technology -Minister

FG seeking funding for science, technology -Minister

March 16, 2022
Nigeria ousts kenya atop Africa’s crypto adoption rank

Dogecoin, Bitcoin stay firm after Elon Musk affirms not selling them

March 14, 2022

Trending.

YouTube Music unveils custom radio feature for users

YouTube Music unveils custom radio feature for users

February 22, 2023
Banks, Fintechs’ competition’ll boost economy – IMF

Banks, Fintechs’ competition’ll boost economy – IMF

May 2, 2022
Adopt safety measures on Telegram, NCC advises Nigerans

NCC returns to television with ‘Telecom Weekly

January 11, 2023
A picture taken on April 15, 2022 in Moscow shows the US multinational technology and Internet-related services company Google's logo on a tablet screen. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

UK to clamp down on big tech

May 8, 2022
Handover passengers’ identification to technology firm, FG orders NRC

Handover passengers’ identification to technology firm, FG orders NRC

April 14, 2022
Gadgets Africa

© 2023 Gadgets Africa.

Navigate Site

  • News
  • Apps
  • Cryptocurrency
  • featured
  • Telecommunications
  • Gadgets
  • FinTech
  • Tech leaders

Share

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Apps
  • Cryptocurrency
  • featured
  • Telecommunications
  • Gadgets
  • FinTech
  • Tech leaders

© 2023 Gadgets Africa.

Go to mobile version