The landscape of micron-scale particles including microplastics in human enclosed body fluids

Exogenous microparticles including microplastics are novel pollutants that could persist in the environment with potential health effects, while crucial data on their exposure in humans are still lacking. To understand the panorama of microparticles including microplastics exposure and distribution characteristics in different kinds of body fluids. A non-targeted microparticle internal exposure landscape analysis was done in thirteen kinds of human enclosed body fluids covering eight body systems. Totally 104 patients aged 24–96 years with an average age of 56 years were included in this study. After sample digestion, non-soluble microparticles were detected and identified with one Raman Microspectroscope under a strict quality control-particle detection system. Totally 702 microparticles with size ranging from 2.15 to 103.27 µm were detected in samples. Microparticles were identified into 84 substances or 66 molecules, most of which were firstly reported inside human body. Nine kinds of microplastics were originally reported in human body fluids with their size ranging from 19.66 to 103.27 µm. Microparticles exposure was unexpectedly high inside the human body despite the protection of biological barriers and membranes, raising awareness of the impact of particle pollution on sustainable development. [Display omitted] •A microparticle internal exposure landscape was provided.•In all 702 microparticles ranging 2.15–103.27 µm in size were found in internal body fluids.•Altogether 52 molecules of microparticles were firstly reported inside human body.•In total nine kinds of microparticles were mainly observed in whole blood and effusions.•Biological barriers, microparticle size and density affect particle distribution.