LONDON: Researchers at Kingston University London have developed a groundbreaking technique that can detect microplastics inside living organisms without the need for surgery or invasive procedures, marking a significant advance in environmental and health research.
The study, published in the scientific journal Advanced Science, found evidence of several commonly used microplastics in the tissues of living mice. These included polypropylene, widely used in food containers and coffee cups, and polyethylene, a plastic commonly found in single-use shopping bags.
The research was led by Dr Stephen Patrick, a medical imaging lecturer at University College London, with contributions from scientists at UCL and University of Birmingham.
Scientists said the breakthrough could help researchers better understand how microplastics move through the body, reach different organs and potentially affect human health.
As part of the project, researchers used an advanced technique known as photoacoustic imaging. Mice were injected with controlled amounts of microplastics, allowing scientists to monitor the particles’ movement through the body over time without invasive procedures.
Researchers noted that the mice were also likely exposed to small amounts of microplastics through food and water, mirroring the widespread presence of the tiny plastic particles now found in human bodies.
An image produced during the study was shortlisted for the 2025 Wellcome Photography Prize and was displayed publicly at the Francis Crick Institute.
More read, Another Hidden Threat of Microplastics Revealed
Experts said the findings represent a major step toward understanding the relationship between microplastic pollution and human health, potentially paving the way for future medical and scientific discoveries.
