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Identification of human exposure to airborne microplastics and its potential effects utilizing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
Summary
Scientists tested fluid from inside the lungs of 92 adults and found tiny plastic particles in 75% of them—showing these microplastics we're breathing in every day are actually settling deep in our airways. People with plastic particles in their lungs also had noticeably weaker lung function (measured by how much air they could breathe out), suggesting a possible link between inhaled microplastics and breathing problems. While this doesn't prove the plastics *caused* the lung issues, it's an early warning sign worth paying attention to, especially since airborne microplastics are nearly impossible to avoid entirely.
Airborne microplastics can be inhaled and remain in the lower respiratory tract due to their small size and tendency to remain in the air in turn posing a lethal threat to human life. Therefore, it is of interest to detect airborne microplastics in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and to assess their association with lung function, airway inflammatory cell profile and respiratory tract symptoms in adult subjects with indiscernible symptoms. BAL fluid samples of ninety-two adults were collected using strict contamination controlled protocols and filtered via filters with a 0.45 μm membrane. Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry in accordance with ATS guidelines. 69 (75%) respondents reported the presence of airborne microplastics in BAL fluid. Respondents with microplastics in BAL exhibited lower FEV₁, FVC and FEV₁/FVC ratios compared with microplastic-negative participants (p < 0.001). Data helps to comprehend the ill effects of microplastics on respiratory health.