A study by Kingston University London researchers found non-invasive methods could be used to detect microplastics in the living tissue of mice, previously only possible through dissection.
Published in Advanced Science, the study recorded evidence of multiple common microplastics such as polypropylene (used in food containers and coffee cups) and polyethylene (used in single-use plastic bags) in the tissue of living organisms.
The study, led by Lecturer in Medical Imaging at UCL Medicine Dr Stephen Patrick and including researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Birmingham, unlocks the potential to understand how microplastics travel around the human body and impact health.
An image created using the technique was shortlisted for the Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 and was displayed at a public exhibition at the Francis Crick Institute.
Photoacoustic imaging
The mice were given controlled amounts of microplastics by injection to allow the researchers to precisely track the movement of microplastics through living tissue over time. The mice were also likely to have a small background presence of microplastics acquired through general consumption of food and water, similar to humans.
The microplastics were detected using a new technique called photoacoustic imaging, which involves directing pulses of laser light into tissue. The light is absorbed by microplastics, which have a unique absorption fingerprint and can then be picked up by ultrasound detectors to create a detailed map of microplastics within the body.
The high-resolution method can detect microplastics as small as the width of a human hair, whilst also enabling the team to track the movement of particles over months rather than days.
This is a significant improvement over traditional methods of detection, which involve needing to chemically label microplastics before tracking them inside living tissue. This process can change particle behaviour and therefore limits the study exercise.
Lead physicist in the study, Dr Olumide Ogunlade, said: “By showing that microplastics can be visualised inside living tissue without altering or destroying it, this work lays important groundwork for future studies. Since the photoacoustic signal is directly related to the amount of microplastic, our method could overcome the limitations of existing indirect methods of estimating microplastic accumulation. We anticipate it will ultimately help researchers link everyday exposure to microplastics with long‑term health effects, in a way that better reflects what happens in real life.”
The study could have significant impact in medical settings
First author on the study and Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at Kingston University Dr Joseph Bear commented: “The versatility of the technique allows us to shed light on the behaviour of other plastics in the body. Surgical implants such as hernia meshes are a particular focus due to their frequent mechanical failure, side effects and need for replacement. We are following this up with further research that aims to improve patient outcomes and the safety of these devices.”
Dr Patrick emphasised the importance of the study in light of worldwide contamination:
“Everyone on earth is exposed to microplastics – they are found everywhere: in our food, drink, clothing and home furnishings. There is growing concern over their effects on human health, which until now has been difficult to study inside living tissue. Most existing methods rely on biopsies or analysis of tissue after dissection, which limits what researchers can observe over time.”
“We expect our new approach to detecting microplastics will open up new avenues of research into where these particles accumulate in the body, how long they persist, and whether they contribute to diseases affecting the brain, blood vessels and other organs.”
Team Health Accessible
Health & Wellness Editorial Team
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