Microplastics: Found in blood clots

This year, a groundbreaking study revealed an astonishing discovery: tiny microplastic particles originating from larger plastic objects were found in more than half of the fatty deposits blocking arteries. This finding provided the first evidence of a potential link between microplastics and their impact on human health.

A recent investigation by Chinese researchers uncovered the presence of microplastics in blood clots extracted from arteries in the heart and brain, as well as from deep veins in the lower extremities.

Although this study involved only 30 patients—significantly fewer than the 257 individuals observed over 34 months in a previous study on arterial plaque released in March—it shared similarities with its findings. Similar to the earlier Italian-led research that showed a connection between microplastics in arterial plaques and increased risks of heart attacks or strokes, the Chinese team also suggested a potential relationship between levels of microplastics in blood clots and the severity of related diseases.

The participants, with an average age of 65, underwent surgery to remove blood clots following events like strokes, heart attacks, or deep vein thrombosis—a condition characterized by clot formation deep within veins, typically occurring in the legs or pelvis. Patients with different medical histories and habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, having high blood pressure, or having diabetes, often used plastic items and came from various rural and urban areas.

Analysis of chemicals revealed tiny pieces of plastic in different shapes and sizes in 24 out of the 30 blood clots examined, although at different levels. The study identified the same types of plastics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) As those found in a previous investigation led by Italian researchers on artery blockages. This discovery is not surprising considering the common use of PVC in construction and PE in bottles and bags, since they are among the most commonly produced plastics.

Additionally, polyamide 66, a commonly used plastic in clothing and fabrics, was also found in the clots, along with 14 other varieties. Among these, PE emerged as the most common plastic, making up 54 percent of the particles analyzed. Moreover, researchers noted that people with higher levels of microplastics in their blood clots had increased D-dimer levels compared to those without detectable microplastics in their blood clots.

D-dimer, a protein fragment released when blood clots break down, is typically not present in blood plasma. High levels of D-dimer in a blood test may indicate the presence of blood clots, leading researchers to consider whether microplastics could be gathering in the bloodstream and making clot formation worse.

However, further research is needed to investigate this theory; the study did not directly measure microplastics in patients blood. Since it is an observational study, it can only suggest possible connections rather than definitive causes.

Tingting Wang, a clinician and scientist at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College in China, and colleagues noted in their paper that these findings suggest that microplastics could potentially be a risk factor for vascular health.

They emphasized the urgent need for additional research involving more participants to identify sources of exposure and confirm the trends observed in this study.
Considering previous discoveries of microplastics in human lung tissue and blood samples, it is plausible that these tiny plastic particles enter our bodies from the environment and may worsen clot formation, even though the exact process remains unclear.

A 2023 study identified unique chemical markers of microplastics in 16 surgically removed blood clots.Now, the research conducted by Wang and her team using infrared chemical imaging and other methods has revealed the impact of plastic particle buildup in blood clots and the potential health issues it may cause.
This development highlights the rapid progress made in this area, moving beyond simply identifying microplastics in human tissues to studying their effects on cells and animals, and now exploring how they affect human health.

These discoveries are particularly timely. With the increase in plastic production and fossil fuel companies expanding their plastic manufacturing operations amid challenges in other industries, there is a growing need to understand and address the health risks associated with microplastics. “Wang and her colleagues warn that, due to the widespread presence of microplastics in our environment and everyday products, exposure to these particles is almost unavoidable.”
“As a result, concerns about the extensive prevalence of microplastic pollution and its potential health impacts continue to grow.”