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Emerging environmental exposures and pulmonary diseases
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This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics, certain chemicals (PFAS), indoor air pollution, and pesticides may affect the lungs. It found links to airway inflammation and conditions like asthma and lung cancer, but noted that human data are limited and more research is needed to understand actual exposure risks.
Background Environmental exposures are emerging as major contributors to pulmonary disease yet remain under characterized compared with traditional air pollutants. This review aims to synthesize the major sources, exposure routes, toxicokinetic, detection methods, disease outcomes, regulatory status, knowledge gaps, and top research priorities for: microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, indoor air pollutants, and pesticides. Methods This paper selected multiple original research and regulatory sources based on selected keywords related to emerging environmental exposures and pulmonary outcomes. Results Across the exposures, pathobiology links them to airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrotic remodeling, with associations ranging from exacerbation of pre-existing lung conditions to asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and lung cancer. Data on human exposure remains limited to preclinical findings, and direct exposure-response relationships are poorly defined. Discussion This review highlights the growing burden of respiratory conditions in response to rapidly emerging environmental exposures and addresses the critical gap between this growth and existing clinical and regulatory guidelines. Standardized prospective human studies, paired with coordinated policy action, are needed to close this gap and generate effective mitigation strategies.
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This review examines growing evidence that tiny airborne plastic particles can enter the lungs and trigger or worsen respiratory diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung inflammation. The smallest nanoplastics are especially concerning because they can penetrate deep into lung tissue and even enter the bloodstream, yet research on airborne plastic health effects significantly lags behind studies on waterborne exposure.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.