• Posted March 18, 2025

IV Bags Might Flood Bloodstream With Microplastics

Microplastics that invade and burrow deep within the human body are becoming an increasing concern among doctors and health experts.

Now, a new study shows that even medical care is causing increased exposure to the tiny plastic particles.

Microplastics can be found in the solutions administered through plastic IV bags, researchers recently reported in the journal Environment & Health.

In fact, thousands of plastic particles could be delivered directly to a person’s bloodstream from a single standard 8.4-ounce bag of IV fluid, researchers said.

“Our findings highlight an aspect of plastic pollution that affects humans most directly, as microplastics are being injected into the bloodstream,” concluded the research team led by senior researcher Liwu Zhang, a professor with the Fudan University Department of Environmental Science & Engineering in Shanghai, China.

Studies have tied microplastics to a range of health problems, a recent Forbes article noted. These include dementia and brain health, heart disease, stroke, reproductive issues and infant illnesses.

Microplastics have been found in human blood, and they tend to accumulate in organs like the lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen, researchers said in background notes.

A study published earlier this year in Nature found that the amount of microplastics found in human brains has increased by about 50% -- the equivalent of a plastic spoon in weight.

For the new study, researchers purchased two different brands of bagged IV saline solution and dripped the contents of the bags into glass containers.

The liquids were then filtered to catch microscopic plastic particles, researchers said. 

Both brands of saline contained microplastics made from polypropylene, the same material as the bags, results show. This suggests that the bags shed microplastics into IV solutions.

Researchers estimated that each bag of IV fluid could deliver about 7,500 microplastics directly into the bloodstream. That would rise to about 25,000 particles to treat dehydration or 52,500 for abdominal surgery, since both conditions require multiple IV bags.

Keeping IV bags away from ultraviolet light and heat might help prevent microplastics from shedding into the solutions, researchers said.

Hospitals and clinics might also consider filtration systems that could remove the particles while a patient is receiving an IV infusion.

“Future research should focus on more direct toxicological studies to comprehensively assess the potential toxicity of microplastics and their associated health risks,” researchers wrote. “These findings will provide a scientific basis for formulating appropriate policies and measures to mitigate the potential threats posed by microplastics to human health.”

More information

The University of California-San Francisco has more on microplastics.

SOURCE: American Chemical Society, news release, March 11, 2025