A study led by researchers at the Vienna Medical University in Austria found that microplastics are also present in human feces.
The researchers found plastic particles in the stool samples of eight study participants. As many as nine different types of plastics appeared in each stool sample, and the particles were tiny. Experts believe that plastics in the intestines can suppress the immune system and help toxins. , the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.
Dr. Philipp Schwabi, a researcher at the Vienna Medical University in Austria, is the lead researcher for the study. He said: 'We are particularly concerned about the impact of this discovery on humans, especially those with gastrointestinal diseases. Although in animals The study found that the most concentrated part of the plastic is the intestine, but the smallest microplastic particles can enter the blood, lymphatic system, and even reach the liver. Now we have discovered microplastics in humans, and then we need to study the pair. The impact of human health. '
The researchers recruited a total of eight participants from the UK, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Austria. The experiment required each participant to have a one-week food diary before taking the stool sample. The diary shows that Participants were exposed to plastic by eating plastic-packaged food or drinking plastic bottles. There were no vegetarians among the participants, and 6 people liked to eat sea fish.
In the experiment, the researchers detected nine different types of plastics, ranging in size from 50 to 500 microns, the most common being polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), found in every 10 grams of feces. 20 micro plastic granules.
According to estimates, up to 5% of all plastics produced eventually flow into the ocean. Once inside the ocean, these plastics are swallowed by marine animals and moved up the food chain. Scientists found in tuna, lobster and shrimp A lot of plastic, and food may be contaminated by plastic because of processing or packaging.
The researchers published the results at UEG Week, the largest meeting of specialists in gastrointestinal surgery in Europe.