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A job exposure matrix for occupational exposure to airborne micro and nanoplastics (PlastiXJEM®) and associations with respiratory outcomes
Original title: A job exposure matrix for occupational exposure to airborne micro and nanoplastics (PlastiXJEM®) and associations with respiratory outcomes
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Researchers created a tool to estimate how much airborne microplastic exposure different jobs involve, then used it to study over 136,000 adults. They found that people with jobs involving higher microplastic exposure tended to have slightly lower lung function and more respiratory symptoms, though exposure wasn't linked to faster lung decline or new asthma over time. This suggests breathing in tiny plastic particles at work may affect lung health, but more research is needed to confirm and understand this connection.
BACKGROUND: Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNP) are an increasingly recognized component of airborne particulate matter, yet their impact on respiratory health is unclear. This study aimed to develop a job exposure matrix (JEM) for occupational exposure to airborne MNP (PlastiXJEM®️ and examine its association with respiratory outcomes in the Lifelines cohort. METHODS: Four experts scored occupational airborne MNP exposure levels (none, low, high) for all ISCO-08 occupations based on documented sources and published evidence. After consensus, the PlastiXJEM®️ was applied to baseline current or last-held jobs of 136,928 adult Lifelines participants. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with lung function, respiratory symptoms, and asthma were assessed using linear and logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, height, BMI, and co-exposure to organic dust, gasses and fumes, pesticides, metals, solvents and silica. RESULTS: and FVC in females only. Overall, effect sizes were larger at higher exposure levels, consistent with a dose-dependent pattern. MNP exposure was not associated with accelerated lung function decline or with the development of airway obstruction, respiratory symptoms, or asthma. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to airborne MNP is associated with lower lung function and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in this cohort. These findings warrant further investigation with complete occupational histories.
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A job exposure matrix for occupational exposure to airborne micro and nanoplastics (PlastiXJEM®) and associations with respiratory outcomes
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Researchers studied over 136,000 people and found that workers with high exposure to airborne microplastics and nanoplastics had reduced lung function and more breathing problems like shortness of breath and asthma. Jobs with the highest plastic particle exposure included those in manufacturing, construction, and textile work. While this study only looked at one point in time, it suggests that breathing in tiny plastic particles at work may harm lung health and warrants more research into protecting workers.
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