Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that have been found almost everywhere in our environment. A recent study published in the journal “Environment & Health” has revealed that these microplastics are also present in the filtered solutions used for medical intravenous (IV) infusions. The study estimates that a single 8.4-ounce (250-milliliter) bag of infusion fluid could deliver thousands of plastic particles directly into a person’s bloodstream.
In clinical settings, IV infusions are commonly used to deliver water, electrolytes, nutrients, or medication to patients. The base of these infusions is a saline solution contained in individual plastic pouches. The research conducted by Liwu Zhang, Ventsislav Kolev Valev, and their team found that the IV fluid bags contained microplastic particles made from polypropylene, the same material as the bags themselves. This suggests that the bags shed microplastics into the solutions.
The researchers estimate that each bag of infusion fluid could introduce around 7,500 microplastics into the bloodstream. For treatments like dehydration or abdominal surgery, which may require multiple IV bags, the number of microplastics delivered into the body could be even higher. The study highlights the need to keep IV infusion bags away from ultraviolet light and heat to reduce microplastic shedding. Additionally, the researchers suggest using micrometer-level filtration systems to remove these particles during infusion.
While there are currently no clinical studies assessing the health risks of microplastics exposure, the researchers believe that their findings will help in formulating appropriate policies and measures to mitigate any potential threats posed by microplastics to human health.
For more information, you can refer to the research article titled “MPs Entering Human Circulation through Infusions: A Significant Pathway and Health Concern” published in “Environment & Health.” The DOI for the study is 10.1021/envhealth.4c00210.
This study sheds light on a previously overlooked source of microplastic exposure and emphasizes the importance of further research and measures to address this issue in the healthcare industry.
