IPN researchers detect microplastics in blood and urine in Oaxaca

Researchers from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in Mexico have conducted a pioneering human biomonitoring study to identify the presence of micro and nanoplastics in blood and urine samples. Led by Dr. Laura Arreola Mendoza of the Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), the study analyzed 10 different plastic polymers in 98 residents of the Corralero community in Oaxaca.

Key findings indicate that over 70 percent of the particles identified in blood samples were fibers, while urine samples showed a more balanced distribution between fibers and fragments. The study noted a higher presence of certain polymers, such as nylon (N66), in blood compared to urine, suggesting a possible higher retention rate within the organism, though further research is required to confirm this hypothesis.

Additionally, researchers detected polymers like NBR and polystyrene, which are associated with materials found in tire rubber, suggesting new avenues for investigating environmental exposure sources. The research, published in the journal ‘Environmental Pollution’, was conducted in collaboration with the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Barcelona, Spain, utilizing specialized technology to enhance the analysis of the biological matrices.