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Size distribution of nanoplastics and tyre wear particles in human tonsils
Summary
Researchers analyzed tonsil tissue from 15 individuals and detected a range of micro- and nanoplastics, including polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride, along with tire wear particles. Nanoplastic concentrations in the 20-200 nanometer size range averaged 350 nanograms per milligram of dry tissue weight. This is the first study to document the accumulation of nanoplastics and nanosized tire wear particles in an immunologically active human organ.
Abstract This study investigates the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in human tonsil tissue. The tonsils are uniquely positioned in the oropharynx, a gateway to both the immune, respiratory, and digestive systems, thus acting as the first line of defence towards inhaled and ingested particles. We analysed tonsil samples from 15 individuals using Thermal Desorption - Proton Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometry, detecting a range of micro- and nanoplastics types, including polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), along with notable findings of tyre wear particles. We detected large differences in polymer types and size classes for each sample with concentrations spanning over four orders of magnitude, bringing nanoplastic concentration for the size class 20-200 nm with an average of 350 ng/mg dry weight. This study is the first to document the accumulation of nanoplastics and nanosized tyre wear in an immunologically active human organ.