Microplastics Are Reaching Our Bones

 Microplastics Are Reaching Our Bones

What has been found

- Scientists have discovered tiny plastic particles lodged deep inside human bones, cartilage, and the soft discs between vertebrae. These pieces are extremely small, about the size of a grain of dust or smaller.

- In bone tissue, there were on average a couple dozen particles per gram of tissue. Cartilage had slightly more, and the soft cushions between spinal bones had the most, with several dozen particles per gram.

- The plastics identified are common ones we use every day, such as polypropylene (packaging and clothing fibers), polystyrene (foam cups and containers), and EVA (shoes, mats, and sports gear).

- Another team studied bone marrow, the spongy tissue that makes blood cells, and found microplastics in every sample. The levels varied, but on average there were dozens of micrograms of plastic per gram of marrow.

- In simple terms, plastic pollution is no longer just in the environment; it is now being found inside the very structures that make up the human body.

Study 1: Bone, cartilage, and intervertebral discs study (Environment International, 2025)

- Samples came from postmortem human tissues.

- Researchers examined osteochondral tissue (bone + cartilage) and intervertebral discs.

- The study included a relatively small number of donors, but every type of tissue tested contained microplastic particles.

Study 2: Bone marrow study (Environmental Research, 2024, PubMed ID: 39079299)

- Samples were collected from 16 human bone marrow specimens.

- Microplastics were detected in all 16 samples.

Possible health implications

- The presence of microplastics in bones and bone marrow suggests they are entering deep into body tissues, likely via blood circulation.

- They may affect bone health through several pathways:

    * Causing inflammation

    * Disrupting the balance of bone remodeling (more breakdown versus less formation)

    * Affecting stem cell viability in bone marrow, which is important for regenerating bone and supporting the immune system

    * In animal studies, exposure to certain microplastics was linked with weaker bone structure, slower bone growth, and changes in bone micro-architecture.

Unknowns and Caveats

- Human health risk: Microplastics are now confirmed in human bone, cartilage, intervertebral discs, and bone marrow, but it is not yet known whether these particles cause disease in living people.

- Study limitations: The findings so far come from a small number of postmortem human tissue samples and 16 bone marrow samples, along with supporting evidence from animal studies. The long-term effects on bone strength, marrow function, and overall human health are still uncertain.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S0160412025000674

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39079299/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39079299/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S0160412025000674

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