Doctors from the Capital Medical University of China (CUMS) have found microplastic particles in human heart tissue, reports Gazeta.ru with reference to a publication in the journal ACS Environmental Science & Technology.

Microplastics (fragments of plastic less than five millimeters) can enter the human body through the mouth, nose and other body cavities connected to the outside world, scientists say. In the new study, researchers collected heart tissue samples from 15 people during surgery, as well as pre- and post-surgery blood samples from half of the participants. The team then analyzed the biomaterial using direct infrared laser imaging and identified particles ranging in size from 20 to 500 microns from eight types of plastic, including polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate.

The analysis revealed tens to thousands of individual microplastic particles in most tissue samples, with amounts and materials varying between participants.

Although the study included a small number of participants, the work provided preliminary evidence that various microplastics can accumulate and persist in the heart and its internal tissues.

In addition, the amount of microplastic increased after surgery. The researchers believe that invasive medical procedures are a missed route for microplastics to accumulate and are calling for a closer examination of the effects of these particles on people's health, the source notes.