China Researchers Find Microplastics in All Human Artery Samples

A team from Capital Medical University in China examined 17 human arterial samples—coronary, carotid and aortic—collected during surgical procedures. All samples contained microplastic particles, with concentrations higher than those previously reported in blood. The majority (73.7%) of the particles were polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic common in beverage bottles and textiles.

Arteries that showed atheromatous plaques (coronary and carotid) held roughly twice the amount of microplastics compared with aortic samples lacking plaques, suggesting a possible link to atherosclerosis. The findings were published in the 2024 issue of the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Researchers note that the pathways by which microplastics reach arterial tissue remain unclear and call for further studies to assess health impacts such as oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiovascular risk.