Microplastics in Human Blood: Types, Amounts, and Risks

The idea that tiny plastic particles are circulating in your bloodstream sounds like science fiction, but researchers have now confirmed it. A landmark 2022 study detected microplastics in the blood of 77% of healthy adults tested, raising urgent questions about what these particles do once they enter the body. This guide explains which polymers were found, how much plastic is in your blood, and what you can do about it.

Study publication year: 2022 ·
Blood samples with microplastics: 77% ·
Most common polymer: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ·
Concentration range: 1–24 μg/mL ·
Number of participants: 22 healthy volunteers

Six key facts from the landmark 2022 study and subsequent research give a clear picture of current evidence.

What plastic is found in blood?

Polymer types detected in blood

• The 2022 study identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polymers of styrene (PS) as the most common particles in human blood (Medical News Today).
• A 2024 follow-up study using μFTIR spectroscopy detected 24 different polymer types in 90% of donors, with PE, EPDM, and EVA/EVOH being most abundant (PubMed).

Concentrations of microplastics in blood

• Particle concentrations in the 2022 study ranged from 1 to 24 μg/mL (Medical News Today).
• The 2024 study reported a mean concentration of 2,466 ± 4,174 MP/L using a limit-of-quantification approach (PubMed).

Methods used for detection

• Researchers analyzed whole blood with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR) to identify and quantify plastic particles (PubMed).
• The method allowed detection of particles as small as 10 μm (PMC).

The wide variation suggests that personal habits and environment play a significant role in microplastic load.

Were microplastics found in human blood for the first time?

Previous evidence of microplastics in tissues

• Before blood detection, microplastics had already been found in human feces, placenta, and lung tissue (Scribd (review text citing multiple studies)).
• A 2021 study reported microplastics in human placenta (Ragusa et al.) (Medical News Today).

Significance of finding in blood

• The 2022 study was the first to show that plastic particles are bioavailable and can enter the human bloodstream (Medical News Today).
• Detection in blood means particles can travel to any organ in the body, raising the stakes for health research (News-Medical).

Reaction from scientific community

• Heather A. Leslie, lead author, described the work as “pioneering human biomonitoring” in the study abstract.
• Subsequent 2024 studies have confirmed and expanded the findings, with researchers calling for larger-scale epidemiological investigations (PMC).

The key uncertainty for researchers remains whether the 77% detection rate applies broadly.

How much plastic is in the human body?

Average concentration per person

• The 2022 study reported an average concentration of 1.6 μg/mL in positive samples (Medical News Today).
• Using a different method, the 2024 study found a mean of 2,466 particles per liter of blood (PubMed).

Variation between individuals

• Concentrations in the 2024 study ranged from 1.84 to 4.65 μg/mL, showing four-fold differences among donors (PubMed).
• Higher concentrations were associated with certain lifestyles, particularly dietary habits such as seafood consumption (News-Medical).

Comparison to environmental levels

• Blood concentrations are similar to levels found in some bottled water brands (Medical News Today).
• However, direct comparison is difficult because particle sizes and measurement units differ (PubMed).

Researchers note that individual exposure profiles can differ four-fold, highlighting the need for larger studies to understand determinants.

What flushes microplastics out of your body?

Can the body eliminate microplastics?

• Limited evidence suggests that the body can excrete some microplastics through feces and urine (Medical News Today).
• No proven clinical method exists to actively remove microplastics from the bloodstream (PMC).

Potential dietary strategies

• Some researchers suggest that a fiber-rich diet may help bind plastic particles in the gut and increase elimination (News-Medical).
• Adequate hydration supports natural detox pathways but does not specifically target microplastics (Medical News Today).

Role of fiber and hydration

• The idea that fiber “flushes” microplastics is speculative—there are no human trials on this (PMC).
• What is known: reducing ongoing exposure is more effective than trying to remove particles already in the body (News-Medical).

Consumers should focus on avoiding further intake rather than seeking unproven removal methods.

What food is highest in microplastics?

Seafood and microplastics

• Shellfish—especially mussels and oysters—can contain high concentrations because they filter water (Medical News Today).
• Sea salt also shows detectable levels, scaling with environmental plastic pollution (News-Medical).

Salt, sugar, and bottled water

• Bottled water is a major source of ingested microplastics, with some studies finding thousands of particles per liter (Medical News Today).
• Beer, honey, and processed foods also contribute to dietary exposure (News-Medical).

Processed foods

• Food packaging is a primary source—plastics shed particles into the contents, especially when heated (PubMed).
• Dietary habits strongly influence microplastic intake: people who eat more packaged and fast foods tend to have higher exposure (PMC).

The pattern indicates that dietary choices are the primary modifiable factor for reducing ingestion.

Timeline of microplastics in human blood research

• 2021 – Microplastics found in human placenta (Ragusa et al.) (Medical News Today)
• 2022 – First study detects microplastics in human blood (published in Environment International) (Medical News Today)
• 2024 – Additional studies confirm presence in blood and examine health correlations (PubMed)

This timeline shows the rapid progression of evidence from tissue detection to blood confirmation.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Microplastics are present in human blood (Medical News Today)
• PET, PE, and PS are common types detected (PubMed)
• Higher particle counts are associated with certain coagulation markers (PMC)

What remains unclear

• The exact health effects of microplastics in blood (Medical News Today)
• Whether microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier (Scribd (review text))
• Effective methods to actively remove microplastics from the body (PMC)
• Long-term dose-response relationships (PubMed)
• Whether the 77% detection rate from the small 2022 study is representative of the general population

The many unknowns underscore the need for larger epidemiological investigations.

Perspectives from researchers

“This pioneering human biomonitoring study demonstrated that plastic particles are bioavailable for uptake into the human bloodstream.”

– Heather A. Leslie, lead author of the 2022 blood detection study

“Reduced coagulability could be induced by microplastic particles in blood.”

– Authors of a 2024 cross-sectional study in PMC (PMC)

Summary

The evidence that microplastics circulate in human blood is now robust, but the health consequences are not yet proven. For consumers, the path forward involves reducing exposure through mindful choices—choosing tap water over bottled, fresh food over packaged, and seafood in moderation. For researchers and regulators, the implication is clear: invest urgently in studies that move from detection to understanding actual harm, because the particles are already inside us.

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