Microplastics found in lung tissue from live human beings for the first time

Bob Yirka is a writer for Phys.org.

The University of Hull and Castle Hill Hospital in the U.K. have identified minute particles of plastic in lung tissue removed from live human patients, marking the first time such materials have been observed in living human patients. A paper describing their findings has been published.

Studies have shown that plastic has ended up in places all over the planet. Studies have found tiny bits of plastic in animals and humans. Particles have been found in the body of both live and dead humans. Microplastics were found in the bloodstream of a live human patient by a team in the Netherlands. Microplastics were found in lung tissue taken from live patients in a hospital.

The researchers worked with surgical teams at Castle Hill Hospital to figure out if plastic might be breathed in by some people. The patients agreed to allow tissue from their lungs to be removed during the surgery to be examined by the research team. The research team was able to collect 13 samples, each of which went under the microscope. There were bits of plastic in 11 of them.

The researchers found 12 different kinds of plastic, including those used in common household applications. Where the plastic bits were found was surprising. In addition to the upper part of the lungs, the team found them in the lower regions. It was surprising because the parts of the lungs that are smaller are more difficult to reach with particles. The researchers were surprised to find higher levels of the plastic in male patients.

The researchers suggest that more research will be done to find out what impact the tiny bits of plastic are having on the body and the health of the people who have them.

More information: Lauren C. Jenner et al, Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy, Science of The Total Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment

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