A scientific breakthrough has been achieved in the process of mapping microplastics within living tissues, which will allow the experts to learn more about their movement in organisms.
It will provide more possibilities for further research into the potential effects of microplastics on people's health.
The study was conducted by researchers of University College London, Kingston University, and University of Birmingham. The results have been published in the scientific journal "Advanced Science".
Until now, in order to map microplastics in live organisms, the researchers needed to dissect or remove tissue for examination. As a result, there were no chances to observe the process of the distribution of particles of plastic in an organism's body.
The team has developed a method based on photoacoustic imaging. The explanation is quite simple the laser light is applied to tissues where the microplastics absorb light energy and generate a series of acoustic waves that can be detected via ultrasound imaging technology.
Common types of plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene, often used in food packaging and coffee cup manufacturing, and plastic bags respectively, were identified by the researchers.
Testing this technology on mice helped track the migration of microplastics within the body over time. The researchers managed to detect particles with the size smaller than the width of a human hair and watch their accumulation inside living tissues. Unlike traditional methods, the new one does not involve any chemical alteration of the plastics, which makes it possible to study them in their natural form.
As the researchers state, this discovery can help resolve some of the key questions concerning the processes of microplastics' interaction with the organism. It is known that plastic particles are present in food products, drinking water, air, and many other sources we come across daily, which means that everyone is exposed to microplastics on a regular basis. However, little is known about how they interact with our body.
According to experts, this imaging technique will aid further research in discovering whether microplastics play a role in causing diseases that affect organ systems, blood vessels, or even the brain. It will also enable scientists to know how long these particles stay within the body system and where they accumulate.
Though there is still need for further studies, this advancement is viewed as significant in understanding the effects of plastic particles on human health.