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Airborne Microplastics: Another Threatening to Our Health
Summary
This review examines the emerging evidence on airborne microplastics, covering their sources, how they travel through the atmosphere, and how they enter the human respiratory system through inhalation. Researchers highlight potential health effects including pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption, with particle size influencing how deeply they penetrate into the lungs. The study calls for standardized measurement protocols and urgent interdisciplinary research to better understand the health risks of breathing in microplastic particles.
The omnipresence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised global concern, particularly as these particles become airborne and infiltrate the human respiratory system. This review explores the emerging evidence on airborne microplastics (AMPs), focusing on their sources, atmospheric dynamics, inhalation exposure pathways, and potential health effects. Drawing on studies from environmental science, toxicology, and public health, the review outlines the physicochemical properties of airborne MPs that influence their biological interactions. Particular attention is given to pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and the role of particle size in deep lung penetration. Evidence linking MPs with chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions is examined. Furthermore, the article discusses detection challenges, the need for standardized measurement protocols, and policy efforts aimed at mitigating human exposure. In conclusion, while scientific understanding is still evolving, airborne microplastics pose a credible threat to human health, warranting urgent interdisciplinary research and regulatory attention.