The issue of plastics is no longer limited to seas and soils: there is a growing global interest in how microplastics and nanoplastics affect human health.
Various studies have detected these particles in food, water, and air, prompting questions about their presence in organs and tissues.
A forensic framework for detection
An international team of scientists, including researchers from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, China, United States, Norway, Ireland, and Australia, presented in the journal Environment & Health a new hierarchical analysis system to study plastics in human tissues.
The proposal aims to overcome the limitations of current methodologies, which can confuse plastic particles with biological materials and generate false positives. Moreover, many methods destroy samples, making subsequent verification difficult.
Main contributions of the study
The forensic framework proposes:
- Use of at least two independent techniques of high specificity, plus an additional one, to validate a finding in the same particle.
- Publication of original data and quality controls, to ensure transparency and allow verification by other teams.
- Clear communication of the confidence level of the results, avoiding misinterpretations.
- Creation of an international group to define minimum criteria and best practices for reporting plastics in humans.
Researchers’ voices
Professor Kevin Thomas (University of Queensland, Australia) emphasized that “each current method has its strengths and blind spots.” Professor Leon Barron (Imperial College London) warned:
“Finding ‘something’ in the human body does not equate to proving it is plastic, let alone that it is harmful.”
Professor Sarah Dunlop (Minderoo Foundation) reminded that the population is exposed to microplastics daily through diet, water, and air, and that only precise measurement will allow understanding their real impact on health.
Technical and scientific challenges
The analysis faces obstacles such as:
- Complexity of biological samples.
- Ease of contamination during the process.
- Variability in sensitivity and specificity of the methods used.
These difficulties make comparing studies and validating results complex, reinforcing the need for standardization.
Implications for public health
The presence of microplastics in human tissues is increasingly reported, but their adverse effects cannot yet be established with certainty. The study warns that communicating results without transparency about limitations can generate confusion and unfounded perceptions about risks.
The proposal of a hierarchical and forensic system aims to lay solid foundations for future research and public policies. Only with strict standards of control and validation can the detection of plastics in the body be considered robust evidence.
The new scientific framework represents a key step towards a more rigorous and reliable science in the study of microplastics in humans. The standardization of methods and international cooperation will be essential to understand their impact on health and design policies that protect the population.
