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Article

A Pilot Study of Microplastics and Other Microparticles in the Urine of Children Undergoing Surgery: Identification and Characterization Using Raman Microspectroscopy

by
Christopher W. Snyder
1,*,
William Schleif
2,3,
Raymond Heromin
2,
JoAnn DeRosa
2,
Antonika Ford
2,
Steven Bruzek
2,
Alberto Chaves
4,
Tien Dao
4,
Jeanette M. Rotchell
5,
Vera Ignjatovic
2,3 and
Dmitri V. Voronine
4,†
1
Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
2
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
3
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
4
Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
5
School of Natural Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN67TS, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Current address: NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
Microplastics 2026, 5(3), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5030183 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 17 August 2026 / Revised: 9 September 2026 / Accepted: 17 September 2026 / Published: 20 September 2026
Versions Notes

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to identify and characterize particles of microplastics (MPs) and other potentially harmful compounds excreted in the urine of children undergoing surgery at a free-standing children’s hospital in the United States. Procedural blank controls of molecular-grade water were collected in an identical manner to the urine samples to account for background environmental contamination. Specimens underwent digestion to remove organic components, followed by vacuum filtration through quartz microfiber filters with 1 micron pore size. Particles captured on the filters were characterized with Raman microspectroscopy. A total of 11 urine samples from 11 patients were analyzed, with a total of 112 particles detected, including MPs polymers and non-polymers (minerals/metal oxides, pigments, and natural fibers). Urine sample MP particle concentrations were significantly elevated after correction for background contamination with procedural blank controls (median 80 particles/L, p = 0.0078). Of the 112 particles characterized, 38 (33.9%) were synthetic plastic polymers (i.e., MPs), 57 (50.9%) were non-polymers, and 17 (15.2%) were complexes of polymers with non-polymers. The most common polymer was polyethylene/polypropylene co-polymer (14/38, 37%) and the non-polymer was hematite (23/57, 40%). Distribution of specific polymers differed in urine samples versus controls, with polyethylene being significantly more prevalent in samples (p = 0.05). Pigments identified across multiple samples included carbon black, cromophtal blue/violet, and irisol blue. Nearly one in six urine particles consisted of complexes of polymers with industrial additives and pigments, raising further concern for MPs acting as pathologic carriers of other harmful compounds. Future investigations should explore the association of MPs and additives with clinical diseases in children.
Keywords: microplastics; plastic pollution; child health; pediatric; urine; Raman spectroscopy microplastics; plastic pollution; child health; pediatric; urine; Raman spectroscopy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Snyder, C.W.; Schleif, W.; Heromin, R.; DeRosa, J.; Ford, A.; Bruzek, S.; Chaves, A.; Dao, T.; Rotchell, J.M.; Ignjatovic, V.; et al. A Pilot Study of Microplastics and Other Microparticles in the Urine of Children Undergoing Surgery: Identification and Characterization Using Raman Microspectroscopy. Microplastics 2026, 5, 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5030183

AMA Style

Snyder CW, Schleif W, Heromin R, DeRosa J, Ford A, Bruzek S, Chaves A, Dao T, Rotchell JM, Ignjatovic V, et al. A Pilot Study of Microplastics and Other Microparticles in the Urine of Children Undergoing Surgery: Identification and Characterization Using Raman Microspectroscopy. Microplastics. 2026; 5(3):183. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5030183

Chicago/Turabian Style

Snyder, Christopher W., William Schleif, Raymond Heromin, JoAnn DeRosa, Antonika Ford, Steven Bruzek, Alberto Chaves, Tien Dao, Jeanette M. Rotchell, Vera Ignjatovic, and et al. 2026. "A Pilot Study of Microplastics and Other Microparticles in the Urine of Children Undergoing Surgery: Identification and Characterization Using Raman Microspectroscopy" Microplastics 5, no. 3: 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5030183

APA Style

Snyder, C. W., Schleif, W., Heromin, R., DeRosa, J., Ford, A., Bruzek, S., Chaves, A., Dao, T., Rotchell, J. M., Ignjatovic, V., & Voronine, D. V. (2026). A Pilot Study of Microplastics and Other Microparticles in the Urine of Children Undergoing Surgery: Identification and Characterization Using Raman Microspectroscopy. Microplastics, 5(3), 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5030183

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