Recent research has shown that microplastics, which are harmful to human health, are ubiquitous in the environment and can enter the body through ingestion and drinking. A new study in France has found that just by breathing, people can inhale these microplastics into their bodies at an alarming rate of 70,000 particles per day, which is 100 times higher than scientists’ previous estimates.
Previous studies have indicated that plastic microplastics are present in indoor and outdoor environments worldwide, posing a threat to health as they may be inhaled into the lungs, leading to oxidative stress, risks of immune system and organ damage.
However, most studies on plastic microplastics in the air have focused on larger particles with diameters ranging from 20 to 200 micrometers, which are less likely to penetrate the lungs compared to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller.
To further understand the risks posed by plastic microplastics in the air, postdoctoral researcher Nadiia Yakovenko and colleagues at the University of Toulouse in France conducted a study focusing on smaller plastic microplastics to quantify the amount of particles people inhale daily.
In this study, the research team collected 16 air samples from their own apartment and car, then analyzed them using Raman spectroscopy to measure the concentration of plastic microplastics floating in the air, including particles with diameters of 1 to 10 micrometers.
The results revealed that the median concentration of plastic microplastics detected in apartment samples was 528 particles per cubic meter, while in car samples, it was 2,238 particles per cubic meter. Furthermore, 94% of the detected particles had a diameter smaller than 10 micrometers.
Combining these results with previous research data, the researchers estimated that adults inhale approximately 71,000 plastic microplastics per day, with 68,000 particles smaller than 10 micrometers and 3,200 particles ranging from 10 to 300 micrometers.
The researchers noted that the quantity of these plastic microplastics was 100 times higher than their previous estimates, indicating that the health risks associated with inhaling lung-penetrating plastic microplastics may be higher than previously thought, warranting further research to confirm and clarify these results.
“We found that over 90% of the plastic microplastics in the air inside homes and cars are smaller than 10 micrometers, small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs,” the researchers said.
This study marks the first measurement of plastic microplastics in the air inside vehicles. Overall, indoor air is identified as the primary route for people to inhale plastic microplastics, which was previously underestimated.
“People spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, including at home, workplaces, stores, and in transportation, yet they are unknowingly exposed to plastic microplastic pollution through inhalation,” they stated.
They added, “What is most concerning is that these particles are extremely tiny, invisible to the naked eye. We unknowingly inhale thousands of these particles every day. In the depths of our lungs, plastic microplastics can release toxic additives that enter the bloodstream, triggering various diseases.”
It is imperative to conduct further research to explore the biological effects of plastic microplastics and methods to reduce exposure to them.
The above study results were published in the journal “PLOS ONE” on July 30th.