Detection and Analysis of Microplastics in Human Sputum

Microplastic pollution is an emerging environ-mental problem, and little research has focused on its impact on the human body. Based on retrospective case series, the study required participants to fill out a questionnaire and provide sputum samples in order to investigate the presence of microplastics in human sputum and determine whether humans involuntarily inhale them. A total of 22 patients suffering from different respiratory diseases were recruited. We used an Agilent 8700 laser infrared imaging spectrometer and Fourier-transform infrared microscope to analyze sputum samples and evaluate microplastics in the respiratory tract. Remarkably, the size range of the method for detecting microplastics in our study is 20-500 mu m. The results showed that 21 types of microplastics were identified, and polyurethane was dominant, followed by polyester, chlorinated polyethylene, and alkyd varnish, accounting for 78.36% of the total microplastics. Most of the aspirated microplastics detected are smaller than 500 mu m in size (median: 75.43 mu m; interquartile range: 44.67-210.64 mu m). Microplastics are ubiquitous in all sputum, indicating that inhalation is a potential way for plastics to enter the human body. Additionally, the quantities of microplastic types in the respiratory tract are related to smoking, invasive examination, etc. (P < 0.05). This study sheds new light on microplastic exposure, which provides basic data for the risk assessment of microplastics to human health.

Automated summary

Microplastic pollution is an emerging environmental problem that hasn't received much research attention regarding its impact on human health. This study investigated the presence of microplastics in human sputum and their potential inhalation by analyzing sputum samples from 22 patients with different respiratory diseases. The results showed that microplastics are present in all sputum samples, suggesting inhalation as a potential pathway for plastic entry into the human body.