Microplastics found in human lungs.
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic or other polymer-based materials, typically less than five millimeters (about one-quarter inch) in size. They are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, having been identified in food (especially seafood), soil, drinking water, fresh- and saltwater bodies, and air. A recent study has identified microplastics in human lungs.
Exposure to microplastics has been associated with a wide range of negative health outcomes in humans. For example, a comprehensive review of the effects of microplastics revealed that the pollutants induce oxidative stress and increase the risk for metabolic dysfunction, neurotoxicity, and some cancers. Some of these effects may be due to compounds commonly associated with plastic manufacturing, such as bisphenol A, or BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals, that are present in and on microplastics.
The investigators collected lung tissue samples from the upper, middle, or lower lobe of 13 patients (average age, 63 years) undergoing scheduled lung surgery. They soaked the tissue samples in hydrogen peroxide to break down the tissue while maintaining the integrity of non-human materials. Then they characterized the materials using spectroscopy, a research tool that uses light scatter to measure concentration.
They identified a total of 39 microplastic fibers, fragments, or films in 11 of the 13 samples, an average of three per sample, ranging up to eight per sample and equating to approximately 0.69 microplastics per gram of tissue. They identified 12 different polymer types, the most abundant of which were polypropylene (23 percent) and polyethylene terephthalate (18 percent), commonly known as PET. Polypropylene is used in a wide range of manufacturing applications, including food containers and plastic pipes. PET is commonly used in water and soft drink bottles.
These findings demonstrate that inhaled microplastics may be present in human lungs. They also underscore the need for further investigation into the health effects of microplastic exposure.
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