Scientists have developed a groundbreaking technique to locate microplastics, offering a non-destructive and spatially resolved method to identify these particles in human tissue. This innovative approach, known as OPTIR (Optical Photothermal Infrared Spectroscopy), has the potential to revolutionize research into the health effects of microplastic pollution. OPTIR visualizes chemical structures in complex materials with high spatial resolution, and has now been successfully applied to human tissue samples, allowing for precise identification of microplastics without damaging the tissue. The study results, published in Analytical Chemistry and Scientific Reports, could advance research and help clarify possible links between microplastic exposure and chronic diseases. The technique has also been tested on mice and three-dimensional cell cultures, demonstrating its ability to detect even extremely small particles. This development is crucial as it enables the examination of microplastic particles in connection with tissue changes, providing valuable insights into their potential impact on human health.
