A new study suggests that the amount of microplastics previously thought to be present in nature and in human organs may have been exaggerated by a compound found on scientists’ lab gloves.

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In recent years, alarming reports have emerged that microplastics (particles smaller than five millimeters) have been found in rivers, soil, Antarctic ice, blood, urine and breast milk.

One report even said that a teaspoon of plastic has been found in the human brain.

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However, scientists at the University of Michigan have raised the possibility that samples could actually be contaminated by very fine compounds on lab gloves.

The study was published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

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Research suggests that tiny residues released from gloves, called stearate salts, can easily be mistaken for microplastic polyethylene.