Particles Of Plastic Contaminating The Environment Found In Human Feces

Particles of plastic contaminating the environment found in human feces

A group of Austrian scientists have unearthed evidence that microplastics, which have become a big problem in the environment, are found in human feces.

Photo: Cornish Plastic Pollution Coalition /

A group of Austrian scientists have unearthed evidence that microplastics, which have become a big problem in the environment, are found in human feces.

Scientists from the Environment Agency Austria and the Medical University of Vienna analyzed stool samples from eight study participants living in different parts of the world: Russia, Italy, Japan, Poland, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Finland and Austria.

During the course of the study, participants recorded what they ate during the week before their feces were taken. According to their records, they all consumed water from plastic bottles or ate food wrapped in plastic. All eight stool samples contained microplastics. Nine types of it were found in analyzes.

According to a press release, the study was published in the United European Gastroenterology Journal. The presentation of the scientific work can be found on the website of the Austrian Environmental Protection Agency.

The production of plastic is growing all over the world, almost half of plastic originated in the 21st century, only 20% is recycled. About nine billion kilograms of plastic gets into the ocean every year. It enters the human body with seafood, and it also enters food during the processing of products. Its effect on the human body is just beginning to be investigated.