Tiny plastic particles are now being found almost everywhere, including inside the human body.
Scientists have detected microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.
Recent research shows these particles can travel through the bloodstream and reach many organs. However, measuring how much plastic is inside the body is still very difficult.
Researchers at the University of Tartu in Estonia are working on a new solution.
They are developing a wearable device, similar to a smartwatch, that could detect plastic particles inside the human body without the need for invasive tests.
Their study was presented at an international workshop on mobile computing systems.
Currently, detecting microplastics in the body usually requires blood samples and complex laboratory equipment.
These methods are expensive, time-consuming, and not suitable for regular monitoring. Because of this, scientists still do not fully understand how much plastic people are exposed to or how it affects long-term health.
Although the health effects are still being studied, early research suggests that microplastics may build up in tissues and cause problems such as inflammation, stress at the cellular level, and disruptions to normal body functions. This makes it important to find easier ways to monitor these particles.
The new device being developed uses a technique called spectrometry, which studies how light interacts with different materials. Different types of plastic absorb and reflect light in unique ways, almost like fingerprints. By analyzing these light patterns, it is possible to identify specific materials.
The wearable device includes a very small spectrometer that shines different types of light onto the skin. It then measures how the light reflects back. This includes not only visible light but also types of light we cannot see, such as infrared and ultraviolet. By analyzing these signals, the device may be able to detect plastic particles beneath the skin.
To test their idea, the researchers created artificial skin and embedded plastic particles inside it. Using their light-based system, they were able to successfully detect the plastics below the surface. This early result suggests the technology could work in real-life situations in the future.
While the device is still in development, the researchers believe it has strong potential. In the future, wearable devices like smartwatches, rings, or bands could allow people to monitor plastic exposure easily and non-invasively.
Such technology could also help scientists better understand how plastics affect human health and guide efforts to reduce exposure. Although more research is needed, this approach could mark an important step toward making invisible environmental risks visible—and easier to manage—in everyday life.
