Presença e impacto de microplásticos em tecidos humanos: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract

Given human exposure to microplastics, it is crucial to understand their distribution and impact on the body, as their health consequences are not yet fully known. This study aims to synthesize evidence on the presence of microplastics in human samples and tissues. It is a scoping review that sought to investigate whether there is concrete evidence of the presence of microplastics in the human body. Searches were conducted in the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, SciELO, OpenGrey, and Grey Literature Report databases. The search strategy yielded a total of 1,103 records, of which 66 were selected. The articles analyzed in the review included a wide variety of tissues, covering different human body systems, such as the pulmonary, intestinal, endometrial, vascular, synovial, and even the male reproductive system. Samples of the placenta, liver, kidneys, spleen, as well as biological fluids such as blood, urine, semen, amniotic fluid, and bronchoalveolar and nasal lavage fluids, were examined, predominantly using techniques such as Raman, FTIR, and LDIR. The presence of microplastics was widely confirmed in different human tissues and fluids. Among the 66 studies, only one did not detect MPs in the analyzed tissues. Studies reported cellular and tissue changes associated with the presence of microplastics, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. However, there is a lack of robust and longitudinal studies exploring the long-term impacts of microplastic exposure on human health, requiring caution in interpreting the results.