March 18, 2025 – Microplastic Pollution Infiltrates Medical Sector: Study Reveals Thousands of Particles Enter Bloodstream During IV Infusions
The pervasive presence of microplastics has silently infiltrated into every aspect of our lives, from the air we breathe to the bottled water we drink, and from everyday food packaging to convenient takeout containers. A recent study published in the journal “Environment and Health” has uncovered a hidden danger in the medical field—medical infusion bags release a significant number of microplastic particles, potentially injecting thousands of these particles directly into the human bloodstream during each infusion.
In clinical treatment, intravenous infusions are commonly packaged in individual plastic bags, primarily made of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene, to deliver necessary water, electrolytes, nutrients, or medications to patients. To investigate the release of microplastics during infusions, the research team carefully purchased two different brands of intravenous saline solutions and transferred them into separate glass containers for processing. By filtering out solid particles and utilizing Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques, the researchers detected and counted the microplastics, estimating the total number and composition of microplastics in the entire bag of infusion solution.
The study results revealed that both brands of intravenous saline solutions contained PP microplastic particles identical to the material of the infusion bags, indicating that the bags release microplastic particles during infusion. According to AsiaMB’s understanding from the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, these microplastic particles ranged in size from 1 to 62 micrometers, with a median size of 8.5 micrometers. Specifically, the two brands of 250mL intravenous saline solutions contained approximately 1,977 and 1,754 microplastic particles, respectively, translating to roughly 7,500 microplastic particles per liter of solution. This means that thousands of microplastic particles can enter the human bloodstream directly during infusion.
In response to this finding, the researchers proposed corresponding suggestions to reduce the release of microplastics. They noted that intravenous infusion bags should be avoided from exposure to ultraviolet light and high temperatures, and the consideration of adopting micron-level filtration systems to effectively filter out microplastics during infusion processes. Although there are currently no clinical studies directly assessing the potential risks of microplastic exposure to human health, the researchers emphasized that their findings will provide important scientific evidence for formulating relevant policies and measures to mitigate the potential threats of microplastics to human health.