According to a new article in the Guardian, microplastics can now be discovered in human organs, thanks to a new scientific technique. Microplastics are minuscule pieces of broken-down plastic found in oceans, dirt, plants and animals. Now, scientists can determine how they interact in human organs.

Researchers added microplastic particles of samples of lungs, liver, spleen, and kidney tissue to see how microplastics were detected and found in tissue. Scientists presented their work and said it was step for other scientists to begin studying microplastics and human organs.

Rolf Halden at Arizona State University said of the findings, “It would be naive to believe there is plastic everywhere but just not in us. We are now providing a research platform that will allow us and others to look for what is invisible – these particles too small for the naked eye to see. The risk [to health] really resides in the small particles.”

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical the EPA calls ” reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxicant” was found in all of the tissue. Varun Kelkar of Arizona State University, part of the research team, said of the presence of BPA, “We never want to be alarmist, but it is concerning that these non-biodegradable materials that are present everywhere [may] enter and accumulate in human tissues, and we don’t know the possible health effects. Once we get a better idea of what’s in the tissues, we can conduct epidemiological studies to assess human health outcomes. That way, we can start to understand the potential health risks, if any.”

Read more about microplastics in One Green Planet, check out these articles:

• Micro-plastics a Mega Problem for Marine Animals
• Even Seafood has Plastic in It 
• Birds Ingesting Huge Amounts of Microplastics
• Plants Absorb Microplastics Through Their Roots

Sign this petition to Ban Single-Use Plastic; Microplastics Have Now Been Found in Antarctica!

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