Microplastics in Blood: What We Know & Can We Remove Them?

Let's be honest when you first heard "microplastics in blood," did you roll your eyes a little? I did. It sounded like something out of a dystopian movie, right? Like we're slowly turning into cyborgs made of plastic and regret.

But here's the thing: it's not sci-fi anymore.

A 2024 study published in a legitimate journal, peer-reviewed, the whole nine yards found microplastics in the blood of 32 out of 36 healthy people tested. That's over 88%. In other words, if you're reading this, there's a very real chance they're already floating through your veins.

And get this some of those particles were nearly three millimeters long. I had to double-check the numbers. Three millimeters. That's like finding a grain of sand in your soda except this sand never breaks down, and it's made of plastic.

So yeah, this is happening. But the bigger question the one keeping researchers up at night is: can we get them out?

Rumors sparked when actor Orlando Bloom said he used apheresis, a "blood cleaning" treatment, to "detox" his system. Overnight, everyone started Googling "how to remove microplastics from blood."

But let's pause for a second. Should you book a private clinic in Switzerland and drain your bank account? Or is this just another wellness fad wrapped in celebrity glitter?

I've dug into the science the real studies, not the clickbait headlines and I want to walk you through what we actually know. No fluff. No fear-mongering. Just honest, human-to-human talk.

Are They Real?

First, let's settle the biggest doubt: Are microplastics really in our blood?

Yes. And scientists aren't guessing. They're using high-tech tools like -FTIR spectroscopy and Raman imaging fancy ways of shining light on tiny particles to figure out what they're made of.

Think of it like identifying a mystery fabric by how it reflects light. These methods can detect particles as small as a few micrometers way smaller than a grain of salt.

And to avoid contamination? Researchers go full "lab ninja" mode. They wear cotton clothes (no synthetic fibers), use glass tools instead of plastic, wrap everything in foil, and work under clean airflow hoods. Why? Because a single plastic fiber from their sleeve could ruin the entire sample. That's how careful they have to be.

So no, this isn't a mistake. The evidence is mounting. Microplastics aren't just in our oceans. They're in our bodies in our blood, our lungs, our livers, even in breast milk.

How Much Is Inside?

You're probably wondering: Okay, so they're there but how much?

Let's look at the numbers from that 2024 study:

Measure	Finding
Detection Rate	32 out of 36 people had microplastics
Average Concentration	4.2 particles per mL
Most Common Size	2050 m (some up to 100+ m)
Top Plastic Types	Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE)
Particle Shape	Mainly fragments (86%), some fibers (36%)

That means, on average, every milliliter of your blood might carry four tiny pieces of plastic. Multiply that by 5,000 mL (about the total blood volume in an adult), and you're looking at over 20,000 particles and that's not even counting nanoplastics, which are too small to detect with current tools.

Another study found similar results: 2,466 microplastics per liter of blood, including some shockingly large fragments. Again we're talking three millimeters. In your bloodstream.

How does that even happen? Let's talk about how they get in.

How Do They Get In?

You didn't start life with plastic circulating through your body. So how did they get there?

Here are the main culprits and honestly, you've probably welcomed some of them into your home without realizing it.

1. Your Kitchen (Yes, Really)
That plastic container you use to store leftovers? The water bottle you refill? The microwave-safe tray you heat up every night? All of these can shed microplastics, especially when exposed to heat or wear.

A study published in 2024 found that people who regularly store food in plastic especially in fridges had significantly higher levels of microplastics in their blood according to researchers. And microwaving plastic? That's like giving plastic a full invitation to jump into your meal.

2. The Air You Breathe
City dwellers, this one might hit close to home. Microplastics are in the air from synthetic clothing fibers, tire dust, and even building materials. When you breathe them in, some can pass through the lungs and into your bloodstream.

Think of your lungs like a fine net. Most big particles get caught, but the tiny ones? They slip through.

3. Your Skin (Less Likely, But Still Possible)
You probably aren't absorbing much through your skin unless you're swimming in polluted water or using skincare products with microbeads. Cuts, pores, and damaged skin might let a few in, but this isn't the main route.

4. Medical Procedures (Yes, Even Healthcare)
Here's a wild one: some IV bags and tubing are made of polypropylene or polyethylene. One study detected microplastics in intravenous fluids according to lab analysis. So ironically, a hospital treatment might be adding plastic while trying to heal you.

5. Persorption The Weird Science
This one sounds made up. But animal studies show that undigested solid particles up to 150 micrometers can squeeze between intestinal cells and enter the bloodstream. This is called persorption. Imagine tiny plastic shards slipping through cracks in a wall. Not every particle makes it, but some do.

Why Should You Care?

"Okay," you might say, "they're in there. But are they actually dangerous?"

Great question. We don't have all the answers yet, but early evidence is concerning.

Researchers have linked higher microplastic levels to:

Health Marker	What's Happening
Inflammation	Increased hsCRP a key marker of chronic inflammation
Blood Clotting	Longer clotting times ( aPTT), higher fibrinogen
Oxidative Stress	Immune cells go into overdrive, causing cellular damage
Endocrine Disruption	Phthalates chemicals in plastic mimic hormones

And here's the scary part: phthalates have been tied to fertility problems, thyroid issues, and developmental delays in children. These aren't minor side effects they're long-term, systemic risks.

Even more alarming? A 2023 study found that microplastics in artery plaques were associated with a 4.5 times higher risk of heart attack or stroke according to the data.

Now, correlation doesn't equal causation. Just because microplastics are in the plaque doesn't mean they caused it. But let's be real finding plastic stuck in your arteries can't be a good thing. It's like finding rust in your car engine. You might not know how fast it'll break down but you know it's not helping.

Can You Remove Them?

This is where things get tricky. You've heard of liver cleanses and "detox" teas, right? Spoiler: they don't work for microplastics.

Because here's the thing: your liver and kidneys are amazing at filtering out chemicals. But microplastics? They're physical particles. Your body isn't equipped to break them down like it does with toxins.

Imagine trying to filter gravel out of water using a coffee filter. Some might get caught, but most just clog the system.

So what about medical options? Enter: apheresis.

What Is Apheresis?

You might have seen headlines about "blood cleaning" or "plasma filtration." Apheresis is a real medical treatment not science fiction.

It's typically used for conditions like high cholesterol (LDL apheresis), autoimmune disorders, or certain poisonings. The process:

1. Blood is drawn from the body.
2. It's passed through a machine that filters out specific components (like bad antibodies or lipids).
3. The "cleaned" blood is returned to the body.

Yes, it can technically remove particles circulating in your blood including some microplastics.

So when Orlando Bloom said he did it to "detox" from plastic, he wasn't lying. But is it the miracle solution it sounds like?

Does It Really Work?

Possibly but with massive caveats.

Yes: Apheresis filters circulating blood. If microplastics are floating in your plasma, they could be removed.

But:

• No clinical trials have proven it reduces long-term microplastic levels.
• The effect might be temporary. You'd likely re-accumulate particles within days.
• It doesn't touch microplastics stored in organs like your liver, brain, or placenta.
• It's expensive between $3,000 and $10,000 per session and not covered by insurance for this purpose.

One expert put it perfectly: "Using apheresis to detox' microplastics is like using a firehose to clean a coffee spill. Technically possible. But is it smart? Likely not."

So while it's physically feasible, it's not practical, scalable, or proven as a long-term solution.

What Actually Helps?

Here's the truth: prevention is the only real strategy we have right now.

You can't pull plastic out of your veins, but you can stop adding more.

And the good news? Small changes make a real difference.

A study found that people who avoided plastic food storage had up to 3x lower microplastic levels in their blood. That's not a minor drop that's life-changing.

Here's what works:

• Switch to glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers for food storage and water bottles.
• Avoid microwaving food in plastic even if it says "microwave safe."
• Drink filtered tap water instead of bottled most bottled water contains microplastics.
• Use a HEPA air filter at home to trap airborne microfibers.
• Wash synthetic clothes less often, and use a Guppyfriend bag to catch microfibers.
• Eat fresh, whole foods the less packaged, the better.

You don't have to go zero-waste overnight. Just start with one swap. One habit. One choice.

What's Next?

The truth is, we're still early in this story.

Researchers don't yet know:

• If nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier.
• What the long-term effects are over 20+ years.
• What a "safe" level of exposure might be (if one exists).
• Which types of plastic are most harmful.

We're all kind of guinea pigs in a global experiment we never signed up for.

What Can You Do?

1. Test your exposure some specialized labs now offer microplastic screening in stool or urine (blood tests are still emerging). It won't give you peace of mind, but it might motivate change.

2. Make 3 small swaps this week like switching your water bottle, ditching plastic wrap, or buying snacks in bulk.

3. Push for policy change support bans on single-use plastics, demand microplastic labeling, and vote for environmental research funding.

Final Thoughts

Look, I get it. Learning that plastic is in your blood is unsettling. Maybe even overwhelming.

But here's what gives me hope: you have power.

Not to remove what's already there yet but to stop the influx. To protect your kids. To choose better packaging, better habits, better policies.

You don't need a $10,000 blood cleaning procedure. You just need awareness and the willingness to act on it.

So what do you say? Ready to make that one swap today?

I'd love to hear what changes you're planning drop a comment below. And if you're curious about ongoing research, hit reply and I'll send you updates no hype, just facts.

Let's face this together. One less plastic bottle at a time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.