Startup Claims to Detoxify Blood from Microplastics

Microplastics have been discovered in an astonishing array of locations, from the peaks of Mount Everest to the depths of the Mariana Trench, and even within the human body. In March, a new clinic in London, Clarify Clinics, began offering a treatment that claims to cleanse the blood of these contaminants, as well as other toxins like forever chemicals and pesticides. The service comes with a hefty price tag, starting at £9,750 (approximately $12,636).

Located near Harley Street, known for its high-end medical services, the clinic typically sees 10 to 15 patients each week. After an initial consultation, patients are comfortably seated in armchairs while their blood is drawn. A machine then separates plasma from blood cells, filtering the plasma to remove microplastics and other unwanted substances before it is reintroduced into the circulatory system. The entire procedure lasts up to two hours, allowing for the processing of 50 to 80 percent of the blood plasma volume.

Patients seek this treatment for various reasons, including chronic fatigue, cognitive fog, or lingering symptoms from COVID-19. Additionally, the clinic markets its services to individuals taking weight-loss medications and those concerned about cognitive decline.

While Clarify Clinics offers this procedure with hopes of alleviating health issues, scientific understanding of microplastics' impact on human health remains limited. A 2022 World Health Organization report concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine the health risks posed by microplastics. Researchers are still trying to quantify exposure levels and evaluate potential health outcomes.

Environmental expert Frederic Béen noted the importance of understanding the exposure dosage to ascertain any related health risks. Despite numerous studies documenting microplastic presence around the globe and even within human tissues, a direct correlation between microplastics and specific health effects in humans has yet to be established.

Recent research has suggested a link between microplastics and cellular harm, but conclusive health outcomes in living subjects remain unclear. A 2024 study indicated that individuals with microplastics in fatty deposits within their carotid arteries may be at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. However, this research did not confirm causation, leaving room for other factors to contribute to the observed risks.

Moreover, measuring microplastics accurately poses significant challenges. Contamination during sample collection is a real concern, as fibers from clothing or packaging can easily enter blood samples. Researchers like Béen take meticulous precautions to avoid contamination in their analyses.

Despite these uncertainties, patients at Clarify Clinics report improvements in energy levels and sleep quality after undergoing treatment. Some individuals have taken to social media to share their microplastic test results, creating a community of patients who view their participation as a proactive step for their health.

While blood cleansing procedures are not new, they often cater to affluent individuals seeking unverified health benefits. Similar treatments exist in other regions, such as expensive stem cell therapies in the Bahamas. In rare cases, such as extreme contamination events, blood purification may be warranted. For example, residents in Jersey were advised to consider bloodletting after exposure to PFAS pollutants in drinking water, which can lead to serious health concerns.

However, for the general population, the implications of blood microplastic levels remain largely unknown. In a personal test, one individual discovered a low concentration of microplastics in their blood, but the clinic's CEO emphasized that even low levels can indicate a significant presence in the body.