Microplastics Found Inside Human Hearts During Cardiac Surgery of 15 Patients

(Photo : Allison Saeng / Unsplash)
Microplastics have made their way to human hearts, as seen in 15 patients who underwent cardiac surgery.

Microplastics were discovered inside 15 patients' hearts during cardiac surgery.

Microplastics in Human Hearts

Microplastics were discovered for the first time in human hearts undergoing cardiac surgery in a study.

There are worries about how microplastics could affect the human body and health as they are as little as the word implies-plastic particles that are less than 5 millimeters long.

A team from Beijing's Capital Medical University, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College examined samples taken from 15 cardiac surgery patients using a laser direct infrared chemical imaging system as well as scanning electron microscopy for the study.

Laser beams were used by scientists to find microplastics in tissue samples taken from the heart and its surroundings.

Five samples of the left atrial appendages and three samples of heart muscle were also examined. However, nine different types of microplastics were discovered by the research team in five different types of tissue, with the largest particle measuring 469μm in diameter.

Additionally, they discovered nine different kinds of microplastics in blood samples taken from patients both prior to and after surgery. The largest piece in the case measured 184μm in diameter.

Polymethyl methacrylate, a substance commonly found in plexiglass, was discovered by researchers in the left atrial appendage, epicardial adipose tissue, and pericardial adipose tissue samples.

How Microplastics Got Into the Human Body

Plastic is everywhere, even in items that may not at first glance appear to contain it, such as various forms of clothing, which can contain significant amounts of plastic and shed microplastics on a daily basis. The environment, including drinking water and food, can get contaminated with these microplastics over time. In addition, the locations where people frequently stow food, water, and other items, are usually made of plastic.

Many orifices and holes can act as entrances to various regions of the body. Microplastics have been discovered in human lungs, placentas, and feces in earlier investigations.

Also Read: Toxic Microplastics, Microbes Being Released as Microwave Ovens Heat Plastic Containers for Baby Food 

The discovery of microplastics in human hearts shows that these plastic fragments can go throughout the entire human body.

Although not nearly enough research has been done to establish the potential health effects of microplastics. But there are already some alarming results that demand more research. For instance, a different study did discover that microplastics can ruin oyster reproduction. It remains to be seen if it also applies to people.

Another study exposed tiny crustaceans called Daphnia magna-also known as water fleas-to teabag-derived plastic particles. After such exposure, the swimming habits and development of the Daphnia magna changed, but again, this may or may not apply to people.

However, all of this plastic pollution all around us may have long-term health effects. This problem of plastic contamination is quite concerning and is present in almost every environment.

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