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Intranasal Therapeutic Strategies for Mitigation of Airborne Microplastic and Nanoplastic Exposure

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) 2026
Melinda B. Chu

Summary

Tiny plastic particles from air pollution can travel into your brain through your nose, where they may cause inflammation and damage. Scientists are proposing a new nasal spray treatment that could protect the inside of your nose and help your body clear out these harmful particles before they reach your brain. While the idea is promising, more research is needed to test whether it actually works and is safe for people to use.

Body Systems

Airborne microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly recognized as an important route of environmental exposure. Recent studies have identified microplastics within the human olfactory bulb and have demonstrated associations between environmental particulate exposure, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurological injury. These findings suggest that the nasal cavity may represent an important site for therapeutic intervention. This Technical Note outlines a proposed intranasal therapeutic platform designed to support nasal mucosal health while mitigating biological interactions associated with inhaled environmental particles. The platform is intended to provide a flexible foundation for future pharmaceutical development through local anti-inflammatory effects, mucosal protection, barrier formation, particle interaction, and enhancement of mucociliary clearance. Additional studies will be required to evaluate safety, mechanism of action, and clinical utility.

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