Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Microplastics can generate potentially harmful molecules in contact with blood
Researchers at Columbia University found that common microplastics can generate hydroxyl radicals when they meet water.
Microplastics are tiny pieces formed as plastic breaks down, and the tests included polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene.
The reaction was weaker but still detectable in blood serum, the liquid part of blood.
In other experiments, biological molecules gathered on the plastic particles, and the researchers observed damage to proteins and red blood cells.
The findings may help explain links between microplastics and cell damage, but they do not show how dangerous the particles are to people or how much may be present in the body.
It is still unclear whether microplastics found in blood are truly there, because contamination may produce false positive results.
Researchers found that particles from commonly used plastics generated hydroxyl radicals at their surfaces when suspended in water.
The effect was weaker but still detectable when the particles were suspended in blood serum.
In water experiments, biological molecules gathered on the plastic surfaces, and proteins and red blood cells appeared to be damaged.
The findings may help explain links between microplastics and cell damage, but the health effects in people remain unclear.
- Who
- Wei Min of Columbia University and colleagues conducted the research.
- What
- They found that microplastic particles can generate potentially harmful hydroxyl radicals in water and, more weakly, in blood serum.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- The research was conducted by a team including Wei Min at Columbia University in New York.
- Why
- The team investigated how microplastics might produce reactive oxygen species linked to cell damage and other health concerns.
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- Plastics tested
- Polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene
- Reactive molecule
- Hydroxyl radicals
- Blood serum result
- Radical generation was weaker but still detectable
- Researcher
- Wei Min, Columbia University in New York
What people are saying
From a pure chemistry point of view, this should be inert.
water is a key player
provide a starting point
I encourage people to take a deep breath,