A recent study in Environment & Health reveals alarming levels of microplastics in intravenous infusions, raising critical concerns about their potential health risks and the need for stringent medical safety measures.

Microplastics Found in Medical IV Infusions: Health Risks

Hidden Contaminants in Medical Treatments

Microplastics have become a pervasive environmental pollutant, detected in various settings and materials. Recent research published in Environment & Health on March 11, 2025, reveals that these tiny plastic particles can also be found in medical intravenous (IV) infusions, raising essential health concerns.

The Discovery of Microplastics in IV Infusions

Researchers led by Liwu Zhang and Ventsislav Kolev Valev conducted an in-depth study to evaluate the presence of microplastics in IV saline solutions — a standard medical treatment used to deliver nutrients and medications directly into patients’ bloodstream. They purchased two brands of 8.4-ounce (250-milliliter) IV saline bags and analyzed the solutions for microplastic contamination.

Research Methodology

The research team implemented a systematic approach:

• Each IV saline bag was allowed to drip into separate glass containers.
• The liquids were then filtered through specialized filters to capture microscopic particles.
• The number of plastic fragments was counted, providing data to estimate the total microplastic load in each bag.

Findings

The researchers found that both saline solution brands contained polypropylene microplastics. This finding indicates that the IV infusion bags themselves are shedding these particles. The estimated number of microplastics delivered from a single bag was approximately:

Treatment Type Estimated Microplastics per Bag

Standard IV Infusion — 7,500 particles

Treatment for Dehydration — 25,000 particles