Researchers have detected microplastics in lung samples from living patients, including deep in the lower airways. This pioneering study paves the way for investigating their impact on respiratory health.
Microplastics—plastic particles ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm—are pervasive across environments, from oceans and soils to food, water, and air. They infiltrate urban areas, homes, and remote regions, making human exposure inevitable through ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation.
Growing concerns surround their health effects. Plastic nanoparticles have appeared in human blood, synthetic fibers in lung tissue, and microplastics in autopsy samples. Yet, until now, no rigorous study had confirmed microplastics in the lungs of living individuals.
Published in Science of the Total Environment, a study led by Laura Sadofsky, senior lecturer in respiratory medicine at Hull York Medical School, examined lung tissue from 13 patients undergoing routine surgery. Results: 39 microplastics (not nanoplastics) were identified in 11 samples. Of these, 11 were in the upper lung, 7 in the middle, and 21 in the lower regions.
“We didn’t expect the highest concentrations in the lower lungs or particles of this size,” notes Sadofsky. “The narrower airways there should filter larger particles, preventing them from reaching such depths.”
The most prevalent were PET fragments (from beverage bottles), polypropylene (used in packaging and pipes), and plastic resins (common in adhesives and sealants).
Notably, samples from women showed no microplastics, possibly due to men's larger lungs and airways. However, the small sample size limits conclusions, warranting larger studies.
These findings provide critical data for lab experiments under realistic conditions to assess microplastics' debated effects on human health.
