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Microplastics in intravenous fluids: Occurrence, characterization, and risk indicators
Zehra Özçifçi1, Burhan Basaran2, Hakkı Türker Akçay1
1Department of Chemistry Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, 53100, Türkiye.
Abstract:
In this study, the presence of microplastics was investigated in a total of 50 commercially available intravenous fluid samples in Türkiye, and ATR/FT-IR spectroscopy was used for particle identification. As a result of the analyses, microplastic contamination was detected in only 9 samples. Considering all samples examined, the average amount of microplastics was calculated as 0.40 ± 0.90 MP/L. Accordingly, microplastic exposure associated with the single-use administration of intravenous fluids (all samples) was determined to be approximately 0.20 MPs per unit. While the microplastic diversity index indicated very limited diversity at 0.02 ± 0.11, the average polymeric risk index was 5.64 ± 18.2, indicating a low overall risk level. The average pollution load index for all samples was 1.06, corresponding to a moderate contamination level. The findings show that intravenous fluids generally exhibit a safe profile; however, microplastics represent an increasingly important quality and exposure parameter in medical products that should be monitored.
Insights
Microplastic contamination in Turkish intravenous fluids is low, with an average of 0.40 MPs/L detected. While generally safe, microplastics in medical products require ongoing monitoring for quality assurance.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Microplastics are emerging environmental contaminants.
- Their presence in medical products like intravenous fluids is a growing concern.
- Assessing microplastic contamination in intravenous fluids is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and levels of microplastics in commercially available intravenous fluid samples in Türkiye.
- To identify the types of microplastics and assess associated risks.
- To evaluate the overall contamination and safety profile of these medical products.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 50 intravenous fluid samples.
- Identification of microplastics using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR/FT-IR) spectroscopy.
- Calculation of microplastic concentration, diversity index, polymeric risk index, and pollution load index.
Main Results:
- Microplastic contamination was found in 9 out of 50 samples.
- The average microplastic concentration was 0.40±0.90 MPs/L.
- A low microplastic diversity index (0.02±0.11) and polymeric risk index (5.64±18.2) were observed, indicating low risk.
- A moderate pollution load index (1.06) suggests a moderate contamination level.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous fluids generally present a safe profile regarding microplastic contamination.
- Microplastics are an important quality and exposure parameter in medical products.
- Continuous monitoring of microplastics in intravenous fluids is recommended.
