Microplastics appear to penetrate even the deepest parts of our lungs

It is the first study that shows conclusively that even our lungs are not free of plastic.

Meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly clear that polluting plastics not only accumulate in the ocean or the environment, but also end up in our bodies. However, it was unknown whether these microplastics actually remain in our body. A new study lifts a corner of the veil. Because even the deepest parts of our lungs are not clear of plastic.

lung tissue

In the study, researchers looked at lung tissue taken from living patients who went under the knife for routine medical care. The collected lung tissue was then filtered to see if there was anything hidden inside. It leads to an alarming discovery. The researchers found 39 microplastics in 11 of the 13 lung tissues tested. In addition, the team found that men had significantly more plastic in their lungs than women.

autopsies

This is not the first time that researchers have shown that microplastics are present in our bodies. “Microplastics have already been found during autopsies,” said researcher Laura Sadofsky. “However, this is the first study to show that microplastics enter the lungs of living people.”

Deep in the lungs

What’s also worrying is that microplastics even find their way into the deepest parts of our lungs. Eleven pieces of plastic were found in the upper part of the lung, seven in the middle part and no fewer than 21 microplastics in the lower part of the lungs. “We didn’t expect to find most of the particles in the lower regions,” Sadofsky says. “This is surprising, as the airways in the lower parts of the lungs are very narrow. Because of this, no one would have thought that microplastics could get there. But it clearly is.”

Types of plastic

The detected microplastics can be divided into twelve types of plastic, which have many different applications. For example, these types of plastic are used for packaging, bottles and clothing. According to the researchers, it could well be that we inhale microplastics and that small particles end up in our lungs in this way. Previously, researchers stated that airborne particles of between 1 nm and 20 µm can easily be inhaled.

Health

It is not yet known to what extent the microplastics in our lungs actually do harm. This study is an important step forward in answering that question. “We have now figured out the types of plastic and the concentration,” says Sadofsky. “These results can now be used to create realistic conditions for laboratory experiments. And with that we can better determine the health effects.”

Dutch research

The study follows shortly after a study by Dutch scientists, who showed at the end of March that microplastics are also in our bloodstream. That research showed that people absorb microplastics from their environment in their normal daily lives and that the amounts can be measured in their blood. This means that scientists are increasingly taking important steps to better predict health risks.

It is very important that we gain more insight into this. Because little is known about the possible risks of microplastics to human health, there are no official guidelines yet about how much microplastics food may contain. In addition, there are also no studies that have established when a certain amount of intake becomes dangerous. However, several animal studies have shown that microplastics can disrupt metabolism and the gut. It is therefore very important to gain more insight into the possible effects of microplastics on our own health.