A new study conducted by Dutch scientists found tiny plastic particles in human blood for the first time in almost 80% of the people tested, The Guardianreported.
The study was funded by the Dutch National Organisation for Health Research and Development and Common Seas and published in Environment International.
The Dutch scientists analyzed 22 blood samples from anonymous donors, and 17 out of 22 (77%) came back with “quantifiable” microplastics in their blood.
According to the study, the microplastics measured less than 5mm in diameter or less than 0.2 of an inch, which were likely to have been inhaled or ingested before being absorbed into the bloodstream.
The Post Millenial reported:
Seventeen out of the 22 blood samples donated voluntarily and anonymously came back with some traces of plastic in them. Eleven of them contained PET plastic, which is what is commonly used in drink bottles. Other plastics found in the samples were polystyrene and polyethylene, used for food packaging and plastic bags, respectively.