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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background/aim: Microplastics (MPs) are a growing concern due to their pervasive environmental presence and potential environmental and human exposure impacts. Given evidence of systemic MP presence in human tissues and fluids, and the ear canal's environmental exposure, this novel study aimed to identify these particles in human cerumen. Cerumen was collected from the proximal ear canal to minimize potential airborne contamination.

Materials and methods: Cerumen samples were prospectively collected from 12 adult patients (23 patient-derived specimens) and 3 control water samples, following ethical approval and consent. Samples were extracted using sterile instruments, stored in glass, diluted, and filtered through 0.22 µm cellulosic membranes. Microplastics were identified and measured morphologically using a 10X laboratory microscope with digital image processing; however, chemical confirmation of polymer type was beyond the scope of this initial study. Descriptive statistics were employed for analysis.

Results: Among the 12 adult patients (23 patient-derived specimens), microplastic particles were detected in 10 (83.3% detection rate). A cumulative total of 31 individual MPs were identified across the 23 patient-derived cerumen specimens analyzed (comprising 29 detected and 2 instances of zero particle detection), ranging significantly in size from 16 µm to 930 µm and displaying various colors. Water control samples contained 7 particles (3-46 µm), showing a clear size disparity from cerumen-borne particles.

Conclusion: This study provides solid evidence of microplastic presence in human cerumen, suggesting a novel potential excretion route from the human body. The high detection rate among patients and distinct characteristics of cerumen-borne MPs compared to controls imply genuine human accumulation rather than procedural contamination. Cerumen highlights a promising non-invasive bioindicator for assessing microplastic exposure. Further research in larger populations is essential to confirm these findings, elucidate mechanisms, identify polymer types, and explore potential health implications.

Author ORCID Identifier

BENGİ ARSLAN: 0000-0002-2713-897X

YÜCE İSLAMOĞLU: 0000-0002-1294-7088

ALİ BERÇİN: 0000-0003-3626-5492

SELEN AKBULUT: 0000-0003-3123-3010

MEHMET MELİKOĞLU: 0000-0002-6657-8425

DOI

10.55730/1300-0144.6043

Keywords

biomonitoring, cerumen, excretion pathway, human exposure, Microplastics

First Page

904

Last Page

911

Publisher

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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