 Researchers monitored a group of participants from 8 countries across the world with results showing that every single stool sample tested positive for the presence of microplastic and up to 9 different plastic types were identified 
 
 (Vienna, October 23, 2018) Microplastics have been found in the human food chain as particles made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and others were detected in human stools, research presented today at the 26th UEG Week in Vienna reveals. Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and the Environment Agency Austria monitored a group of participants from countries across the world, including Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the UK and Austria. The results show that every single stool sample tested positive for the presence of microplastic and up to nine different plastic types were identified. Up to nine different plastics, sized between 50 and 500 micrometres, were found, with polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being the most common. On average, the researchers detected 20 microplastic particles per 10 grams of stool. Microplastics are small particles of plastic less than 5mm and are used in various products for specific purposes; as well as being created unintentionally by the breaking down of larger pieces of plastic through weathering, degradation, wear and tear. About Umweltbundesamt - Environment Agency Austria 
 
 The Environment Agency Austria is the most important national environmental expert organisation and one of Europe´s leading environmental consultants. ### 
 
 Notes to Editors 
 
 For further information, or to arrange an interview with Dr Philipp Schwabl, please contact Luke Paskins on +44 (0)1444 811099 or media@ueg.eu 
 
 About Dr. Philipp Schwabl 
 
 Dr. Philipp Schwabl is a researcher and physician scientist at the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Medical University of Vienna, in the research team of Prof. Dr. Thomas Reiberger, and presenting this study at the UEG Week Vienna 2018. Though it will take more than 1,000 years for most of these items to degrade, many will soon break apart into tiny shards known as microplastics, trillions of which have been showing up in the oceans, fish, tap water and even table salt. While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the blood stream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. “Now that we have the first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health.” 
 
 Plastic particles in the gut could affect the digestive system’s immune response or could aid the transmission of toxic chemicals and pathogens, the researchers said. The participants were not told to eat any specific diet, but food diaries showed that six of the participants consumed fish in the week before giving a stool sample, and all of the participants consumed at least some plastic-wrapped foods or drank from plastic bottles. Scientists still know little about the effects of microplastics once they enter the human body, though many studies have already found them present in foods such as fish that people are likely to eat. Microplastics can wind up in the oceans or the Great Lakes, where the particles are ingested by aquatic life and enter the food chain.
– It was only a matter of time. Scientists, following up research showing tiny particles of plastic in everything from bottled water to salt, say they've found "the first evidence for microplastics inside humans." All stool samples taken from eight participants of a small study by Environment Agency Austria were found to contain plastic particles ranging in size from .002 to .02 inches, with 20 particles per 10 grams of excrement on average, report the New York Times and Guardian. Up to nine varieties of plastic were identified, with types used in bottles and caps (polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate) appearing the most often. The participants were as varied. Hailing from eight countries including the UK, Japan, and Russia, all ate food wrapped in plastic or drank from plastic bottles. Six consumed sea fish. This suggests plastic contamination during food processing or packaging and "indicates a high likelihood that also many other people involuntarily ingest microplastics," Philipp Schwabl, lead author of the study yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, tells Live Science. Indeed, study authors say "more than 50% of the world population might have microplastics in their stools," per the Guardian. While further research will explore what this means for human health, researchers say microplastics could transmit toxic chemicals and pathogens and affect the digestive system's immune response. "The smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, and may even reach the liver," says Schwabl, mentioning particular concerns for people with gastrointestinal diseases. (Proper contact lens disposal may help.)