Microplastics found deep in lungs of living people for first time

Microplastic pollution has been found in the lungs of people for the first time. Almost all of the samples analysed had particles in them.

The scientists said that human exposure to microplastic pollution is unavoidable and that there is an increasing concern about the health risks.

Microplastics were found in 11 cases and samples were taken from 13 patients undergoing surgery. The most common particles were used in plastic packaging and bottles. Microplastics were found at high rates in lung tissue taken during autopsies.

People were already known to eat and drink from the tiny particles. Workers who are exposed to high levels of microplastics can develop disease.

Microplastics were found in human blood for the first time in March, showing the particles can travel around the body. The impact on health is not known. Microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory and air pollution particles are already known to enter the body and cause millions of deaths a year.

The study did not find the highest number of particles in the lower regions of the lungs.

She said that the data provides an important advance in the field of air pollution, microplastics and human health. The information can be used to create realistic conditions for laboratory experiments.

The journal Science of the Total Environment accepted the research, which used samples of healthy lung tissue from next to the surgery targets. The type of plastic was identified through the analysis of particles down to 3mm. Control samples were used to account for the level of background contamination.

13 of the 20 people analysed in Brazil had microplastics in their autopsy samples, which was higher than the average age of those studied. One of the most common particles was plicol, used in plastic bags. The researchers concluded thatrious health outcomes may be related to the respiratory system.

Plastic and plant fibres were found in more than 100 samples in a 1998 US study of lung cancer patients. Almost all of the samples contained the fibres and almost all of the samples were contaminated.

Huge amounts of plastic waste are dumped in the environment, and microplastics are found in the entire planet. Microplastics can be found in the placentas of pregnant women and in the lungs of pregnant rats.

A recent review assessed cancer risk and concluded that more detailed research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the structures and processes of the human body and whether and how they can transform cells and induce carcinogenesis is needed, particularly in light of the exponential.