Microplastics detected in urine of primary school children in Cyprus

A collaborative study conducted by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health (CII) at the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) and the University of Catania, Italy, has identified microplastics in the urine of primary school children in Cyprus. Published on September 16, 2026, in an international scientific journal, this exploratory research utilized advanced laboratory techniques to detect and categorize plastic particles within biological samples.

The findings confirm the presence of polyethylene and polypropylene, the two most frequently identified types of plastic in the children's samples. While the study reveals that microplastics are entering and circulating within the bodies of these children, researchers noted variations in the quantities detected among individual participants. Due to the limited sample size and the primarily descriptive nature of the analysis, the study authors emphasize that these results remain preliminary and do not yet constitute evidence of clear group-based distinctions.

This study serves as initial evidence of environmental exposure among younger populations in Cyprus. As an exploratory project, the findings highlight the potential for further, more extensive research to determine the long-term health implications and exposure pathways for children in the region.