How Safe Are IV Drips? New Study Reveals Microplastic Exposure from Infusion Products
The hidden exposures of IV infusions
Intravenous (IV) therapy is a cornerstone of modern medicine, and also a growing wellness trend. But a new study raises an urgent question for clinicians and patients alike: could we be unknowingly introducing microplastics directly into the bloodstream?
The peer-reviewed paper from Journal of Hazardous Materials (PMID: 40400553) revealed that commonly used IV infusion equipment releases tens of thousands of micro- and nanoplastics into every litre of fluid administered. For those investing in proactive, precision medicine, this finding touches both Subtractive Medicine and Foundational Medical Care domains and raises new questions about environmental exposures introduced within the pursuit of bettering health itself.
IV Products May Be a Direct Route for Nanoplastic Exposure
5.82 × 10⁴ microplastic particles per litre of infusion fluid are released during IV therapy
Microplastics are primarily derived from two main sources: the degradation of larger plastic items and the manufacturing of smaller plastic products. These tiny particles can range from one nanometre to five millimetres in size, making them significantly smaller than a pinhead and comparable to a rubber on a pencil.
Breakdown of Larger Plastics: The majority of microplastics originate from the environmental breakdown of larger plastic items, which are exposed to weathering processes such as sunlight, wind, and water. Over time, these plastics fragment into smaller pieces, ultimately resulting in microplastics that can be found across various ecosystems, including oceans, rivers, and even remote areas like the Mariana Trench and Mount Everest.
Until now, the primary known routes for micro(nano)plastic entry into our bodies was ingestion and inhalation. But these routes are buffered by natural clearance systems, over 90% of particles are excreted. The bloodstream, in contrast, offers no such protection.
Right under our noses
A concerning source of microplastics is their presence in medical IV equipment. When attention is turning to expensive solutions to remove plastics from the blood stream (eg Clarify Clinics), are we actually fueling the issue inadvertently with the increasing trend of elective IV therapies? Research has shown that IV fluid bags might be an issue.
Studies suggest that solid particles can be present in these fluid bags, which raises the alarming possibility that microplastics can enter the human bloodstream directly, bypassing the body's usual protective mechanisms like the gut or lungs that typically filter out such particles.
The Current Study
In this new study, researchers simulated standard IV infusion protocols using real-world IV equipment: polypropylene bottles, polyethylene tubes, and polyvinyl chloride bags. All materials are common across global hospital systems. Using advanced techniques, including modified Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy imaging, the team found:
5.82 × 10⁴ microplastic particles per litre of infusion fluid were released during IV therapy.
Microplastics ranged in size from 10 nanometres to 3.6 microns, well below the pore size of standard infusion filters.
Plastics identified included PP, PE, and PVC, with PVC showing the highest release of nanoparticles.
This means that each typical 1L IV bag could introduce more plastic nanoparticles into the bloodstream than are ingested by an adult through food and air in a day.
Health Risks
Recent observational studies have found microplastics in blood, atheroma, and even brain tissue. A particularly concerning finding is the association between PVC content in arterial plaques and cardiovascular events, with one study showing a 4.5-fold increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or death over three years in individuals with high plaque microplastic levels (PMID: 38446676).
While current clinical studies have not definitively linked microplastics to specific health outcomes, their toxicological properties and ability to cross biological barriers pose significant concerns for safety. The risks associated with the use of traditional IV equipment must be weighed against their benefits. There is no immediate cause for alarm for those requiring IV hydration or antibiotics during hospital admissions but this data certainly raises questions of the balance of risks versus benefits when infusing healthy individuals looking to enhance their health who may instead be introducing a hidden source of environmental toxin exposure.
Mitigation
Some are already leading the way. California has taken proactive measures through the enactment of the Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act (AB 2300), which bans the use of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in IV bags and tubing. This legislation aims to reduce patient exposure to toxic chemicals, with the ban on DEHP in IV solution containers set to take effect on January 1, 2030, and on IV tubing by January 1, 2035.
On an individual level:
Ask providers about IV equipment composition: Opt for glass bottles and non-PVC tubing where available.
Avoid unnecessary elective IV treatments unless clinically indicated.
Reduce total IV exposure by combining treatments into single infusions where feasible.
Advocate for filtration advances: Nanoscale filter membranes could offer protection but are not yet standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many microplastics enter the body during one IV therapy?
A: Up to 58,200 micro- and nanoplastic particles per litre of IV fluid, mostly <4 μm in size PMID: 40398024
Q: Can these particles be filtered out?
A: Standard IV filters (5-15 μm) do not catch the majority of these nanoplastics, which are smaller than 1 μm in many cases.
Q: Do these plastics accumulate in the body?
A: Animal studies suggest some do, especially PVC, which has been found in blood, liver, and atheroma. Human clearance mechanisms for these nanoparticles are poorly understood.
Q: Are certain types of IV products worse than others?
A: Yes. PVC-based products released significantly more nanoplastics than polypropylene or polyethylene-based ones in this study.
Q: Should I stop all IV therapy?
A: Not necessarily. If IV therapy is medically required, benefits likely outweigh risks. However, elective or non-essential infusions should be reassessed.
Further Reading
California State Legislature. (2024). Assembly Bill No. 2300: Medical devices – Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Chapter 562. Approved September 25, 2024. California Health and Safety Code § 109050 et seq. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB2300 [Accessed: 21.07.2025]
Huang T, Liu Y, Wang L, Ruan X, Ge Q, Ma M, Wang W, You W, Zhang L, Valev VK, Zhang L. MPs Entering Human Circulation through Infusions: A Significant Pathway and Health Concern. Environ Health (Wash). 2025 Feb 14;3(5):551-559. doi: 10.1021/envhealth.4c00210.
Li B, Li M, Du D, Tang B, Yi W, He M, Liu R, Yu H, Yu Y, Zheng J. Characteristics and influencing factors of microplastics entering human blood through intravenous injection. Environ Int. 2025 Apr;198:109377. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109377.
Li P, Xu H, Li Q, Lai Y, Yu S, Liu R, Zhang B, Liu J. Micro(nano)plastics (< 4 μm): An important but ignored concern during intravenous infusion. J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 15;494:138599. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138599. Epub 2025 May 14.
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Smith M, Love DC, Rochman CM, Neff RA. Microplastics in Seafood and the Implications for Human Health. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2018 Sep;5(3):375-386. doi: 10.1007/s40572-018-0206-z
