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“The application of O-PTIR provided unparalleled capability in identifying and quantifying microplastics, enabling comprehensive and accurate characterization crucial for assessing human health implications.”
This study by the researchers at University College Dublin addresses the growing concern of microplastics (MPs) being inadvertently introduced into the human bloodstream through intravenous (IV) infusion systems used in medical settings. The primary problem investigated is the limited exploration of MPs transferred intravenously, despite extensive research on MPs introduced via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Utilizing advanced optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR), the authors comprehensively characterized and quantified microplastics released from IV fluid delivery systems and cannulas.
The authors report significant findings showing MPs consistently present in IV infusion fluids, particularly highlighting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the most prevalent polymer detected. The data indicated that conventional IV systems released approximately 0.90 MP particles per mL of saline solution without using a volumetric pump. Notably, the introduction of a volumetric pump significantly increased MP release to 1.57 particles per mL. Additionally, over a simulated 72-hour exposure, IV cannulas alone were found to release approximately 558 MPs each, further underscoring potential health concerns related to routine medical procedures.
Detailed spectral analyses using O-PTIR revealed not only primary polymer MPs but also additive-derived MPs such as polyamide resins, epoxy resins, and polysiloxane-containing MPs. This comprehensive characterization, enabled by O-PTIR, provided precise identification, size distribution, and morphological details of MPs, demonstrating the robustness and accuracy of this analytical method.
The authors conclude that the O-PTIR technique is exceptionally powerful for analyzing microplastics in clinical settings, offering precise quantification, identification, and characterization of MP particles at high resolution. Its sensitivity and accuracy provide essential insights for healthcare practices, potentially guiding future improvements in IV delivery systems to minimize patient exposure to microplastics.
Authors:
Abhrajyoti Tarafdar a , Junhao Xie a , Aoife Gowen a , Amy C. O’Higgins b,* , Jun-Li Xu a,*
a School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland b UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, The Coombe Hospital, Cork Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
