Identification and analysis of microplastics in main organs of human fetus

Microplastics (MPs), as persistent environmental pollutants, have been detected in various human tissues, yet their distribution and bioaccumulation in fetal organs remain uninvestigated. Given that fetal development is highly vulnerable to environmental disturbances, assessing microplastic exposure during gestation is of critical importance. Using Raman spectroscopy, we analyzed MPs in major organs-including the placenta, cerebrum, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and intestine-from 6 fetuses with a mean gestational age of 22 + weeks, encompassing cases of intrauterine fetal death and congenital defects. MPs were detected in all cases, with polyethylene (PE) being the predominant type (98.4%). The highest particle counts were observed on the maternal surface of placenta (300 particles), followed by the heart (233) and liver (230). The largest particle, measuring 897 μm, was found in the liver. This study confirmed the widespread presence of MPs in fetal organs.