Çukurova University Faculty of Fisheries Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Lecturer with Sedat Gündoğdu. See. Dr. Uğur Çağlayan and Dr. from Roskilde University, Denmark. Kristian Syberg and Tiffany Ramos signed a joint study on microplastics.
Within the scope of the study, PVC and polypropylene packaged serums sold in the market were examined and it was investigated whether there were microplastics in the liquids inside them.
The study, which yielded striking results, was published in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, a peer-reviewed, scientific and academic journal.
SERUM LIQUIDS IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF PACKAGING WERE COLLECTED FROM PHARMACIES
Sharing the details of the 1-year-long study, Lecturer. See. Dr. Uğur Çağlayan said, “For the study we conducted at Çukurova University Central Laboratory, we collected serum liquids in different types of packages from pharmacies in our region. We distilled these liquids through a filter, just as if they were given to the patient, and determined the polymers and particles we call microplastics adhering to the filter with advanced Raman analysis. 13 different “We found that the serum products we bought from the brand contained microplastics, 65 in 1 liter,” he said.
HUNDREDS OF MICROPLASTICS VIA VASCULAR
Explaining that in a study conducted on blood, it was revealed that microplastics in the blood plaques in the veins significantly increase the risk of heart attack. Dr. Sedat Gündoğdu said, “However, there was no research on how so much microplastic existed in the veins. With this study, we demonstrated that intravenous fluids directly cause microplastic exposure. In the evaluation at the end of the study, we calculated based on the hospitalization time of a person in an OECD country, approximately 200 in 1 year. “We found that he took between 350 and 350 microplastics into his body only with this treatment method, through intravenous fluids,” he said.
“WE NEED TO RETHINK NOW”
Explaining the importance of reducing exposure to plastic, especially in the healthcare sector, Prof. Dr. Gündoğdu said, “We now need to rethink the issue of plastic coming into such close contact with humans and other living things.