Microplastics Have Been Detected In Human Blood

Researchers have detected plastic particles in human blood samples. That doesn’t automatically mean we're fked. But it does confirm that microplastics can make it into the body, not just the environment. 

 

What The study Actually Found 

A 2022 study published in Environment International tested blood from 22 healthy volunteers using a method designed to measure plastic particles down to ≥700 nm (very small). 

They reported detecting several common plastics in the samples — including PET (polyester-related plastic), polyethylene, and polymers of styrene, with PMMA also identified. 

Their conclusion was: plastic particles are bioavailable for uptake into the human bloodstream. 

 

What This Does Not Prove

This is where brands (and the internet) can get sloppy.

This study does not prove that microplastics in blood cause a specific disease. It also doesn’t tell us long-term outcomes yet. It’s an early but important piece of human biomonitoring research. 

 

So Why Should You Care?

Because it changes the conversation from “plastic is out there” to “plastic can get in here.”

We’re surrounded by plastics in packaging, air, food, water — and synthetic clothing can shed microplastic fibers through wear and washing. This isn’t about panic. It’s about paying attention and making better choices where we can.

 

What You Can Do 

You don’t need to change your whole life overnight. Start here:

  • Buy fewer synthetic pieces when you have a choice (polyester/nylon/acrylic)

  • Wash synthetics less, and on gentle/cold to reduce shedding

  • Use a microfiber catcher (filter/bag) if you wash synthetics often

  • Choose natural fibers for the stuff you wear the most

Sauna:

There’s no hard evidence that a daily sauna “sweats microplastics out” of your blood. Microplastics are particles, and we don’t have good human data showing they leave the body through sweat glands.

That said, sweating can help excrete certain chemicals.  So if you’re already interested in sauna, a daily session is probably a good idea for general wellbeing. If you're interested; Bryan Johnson shared his experience on detoxing microplastics which was worth a read. LINK

Why We Build With Natural Fibers

MARINE|O is my attempt to make a better default: clothing made from natural fibers, not plastic-based synthetics.

That’s the whole mission — one product at a time.

 

 

Sources 

Use these at the bottom of the post as your “Sources” section:

  1. Peer-reviewed study (blood): “Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood” (Environment International, 2022) — PubMed summary. 

  2. Public health overview (evidence + gaps): World Health Organization — Microplastics in drinking-water (2019). 

  3. Newer research context (blood methods + polymer types): “Microplastics in human blood: Polymer types …” (Environment International, 2024). 

 

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