Microplastics Found in Human Blood, Lungs, and Placenta

Microplastics are in human blood. In thrombi (blood clots). In feces. In lung tissue. In placental tissue. In reproductive tissue. A 2026 systematic review of 30 studies confirmed that microplastics and nanoplastics are present across multiple human organ systems, and higher accumulation correlates with more disease severity.

What the review found

A 2026 systematic review in Diseases analyzed 30 studies meeting strict inclusion criteria, all focused on human populations or human-derived cell lines. Clinical studies consistently found microplastics in human tissues. Higher plastic particle loads correlated with worse outcomes across cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and reproductive systems.

In lab studies using human cells, microplastics penetrated cells and disrupted cellular processes: oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and cell death. Smaller particles caused greater damage than larger ones. Polypropylene and polystyrene showed measurable toxicity at concentrations found in real human exposures.

How microplastics enter the body

Primarily through ingestion, then inhalation, then skin contact. Plastic food containers, water bottles, plastic-lined cans, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils are the main dietary sources. Every time food or liquid contacts plastic, especially hot food or scratched surfaces, particles migrate.

The swap is straightforward: glass and stainless steel for food storage and cooking, wooden cutting boards instead of plastic, water from glass or stainless steel instead of plastic bottles. Glass food containers and stainless steel alternatives cut the largest source of daily microplastic ingestion. Start with the items that hold hot food.

Source: Edet PP et al. (2026). Diseases.