Microplastics in stools and their influencing factors among young adults from three cities in China: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract

The mass concentration of microplastics in stools and influencing factors remain unclear. The aim was to investigate the types and mass concentrations of microplastics in the stools of young college students and to explore potential influencing factors. Twenty-six participants were recruited from colleges in each city using stratified simple sampling, including Changsha, Shanghai, and Changchun. Participants’ dietary and fluid intake behavior was recorded using the 3-day 24-hour dietary questionnaire and the 7-day 24-hour fluid intake record, respectively. Lifestyle factor information related to microplastic exposure was collected through a microplastic exposure questionnaire. Stools were collected and detectd using pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GCMS) method. Eventually, 78 participants completed the study. The detection rate of microplastics, including polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in stools was 98.7%, with a total mass concentration of 54.7 (10.1-102.7) μg/g. There were differences in the total mass concentrations of microplastics in the stools of participants in three cities, namely Changsha, Shanghai, and Changchun, which decreased sequentially (χ²=47.819, P<0.05). Participants with a relatively high frequency of takeaway food consumption had higher total mass concentrations of microplastics mass concentrations in stools (χ²=7.390, P<0.05). Participants with a relatively high frequency of consuming reheated food had a greater mass concentration of PET microplastics (χ²=6.117, P<0.05). The total mass concentration of microplastics, as well as the mass concentrations of PE, PVC, PP, and PA66, in the bottled water intake group were greater than those in the nonintake group (all P<0.05). Overall, the total mass concentration of microplastics in stools was related to residential city, consumption of reheated food, and bottled water intake (all P<0.05). Young college students generally experience microplastic exposure, with the main types being PE, PVC, PS, PP, PET, and PA66. Living location, reheated food consumption, and bottled water intake were factors influencing microplastic exposure.