Environmental Microplastics and the Lung

Article Environmental Sciences

An emerging role of microplastics in the etiology of lung ground glass nodules

Qiqing Chen et al.

Summary: This study validates the presence of microplastics in human lung tissues and explores their correlation with the formation of GGNs. Microfibers, including microplastics, were found embedded in lung tissues, and their abundance increased with age. Patients with a higher exposure risk to microfibers had a significantly higher rate of GGN formation, suggesting a possible link between microfiber inhalation and GGN formation. The roughness of microfibers' surface may also be related to disease progression.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy

Lauren C. Jenner et al.

Summary: Airborne microplastics (MPs) have been found to have increased concentrations in areas with high human population and activity, especially indoors. This study analyzed human lung tissue samples and identified 39 MPs in 11 out of 13 samples, with an average concentration of 1.42 +/- 1.50 MP/g of tissue. The most abundant polymer types were polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and resin. The study also found that MPs were present in all regions of the lung, with significantly higher levels in the lower region compared to the upper and middle regions. These findings suggest that inhalation is a route of exposure for environmental MPs.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens' lower airway

Carlos Baeza-Martinez et al.

Summary: This study investigates the presence of airborne microplastics (MPs) in the lower human airways and finds that the majority of MPs are in the form of microfibers. The average concentration of MPs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is 9.18 items/100 mL, with particulate MPs accounting for a small percentage. The average size of MPs is 1.73 mm, and the longest dimension corresponds to a polyacrylic fiber.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2022)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Overview on the occurrence of microplastics in air and implications from the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

A. Torres-Agullo et al.

Summary: The study provides an overview of the presence of MPs in indoor air, potential health impacts, available methods for sampling and detection, as well as implications from using face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Medicinal

Exposure of Human Lung Cells to Polystyrene Microplastics Significantly Retards Cell Proliferation and Triggers Morphological Changes

Kerestin E. Goodman et al.

Summary: Research shows that microplastics have toxicological effects on human alveolar cells, leading to decreased cell proliferation and significant changes in cell morphology, while having little impact on cell viability.

CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY (2021)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics as an emerging source of particulate air pollution: A critical review

Srinidhi Sridharan et al.

Summary: The accumulation of plastic litter poses pressure on the environment, with microplastics pollution posing a universal challenge due to overexploitation and unsystematic dumping of plastic products. Research initially focused on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but recent studies have also examined microplastics in the air. Understanding the impacts of airborne microplastics on human health is still limited.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue

Luis Fernando Amato-Lourenco et al.

Summary: This study confirmed the presence of microplastics in human lung tissues, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most frequently detected polymers. The potential adverse effects of these microplastics on the respiratory system following inhalation are still unknown, but further research is needed to understand the heterogeneous characteristics of these contaminants.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences