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Short-term exposure to traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics associated with immature granulocyte mobilization and tissue repair markers.
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Researchers had 23 healthy adults spend four hours at three outdoor sites with differing traffic levels and found that short-term exposure to traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics (primarily tire wear) was associated with subtle immune changes the next morning, including markers suggesting mobilization of immature white blood cells, pointing to delayed resolution-phase rather than acute inflammatory responses.
Traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) from tyre wear are among the largest sources of unintentionally released plastic particles in the air. However, their potential health effects remain understudied. We investigated whether short-term exposure to traffic-related MNPs is associated with systemic immunological changes in healthy adults. Three outdoor sites (stop-and-go high-traffic, highway, urban park) were visited with 23 healthy volunteers for 4-h. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before and after, and the following morning. Plasma cytokine/chemokine levels were determined using an OLINK® Target-48 panel. Expression of maturation marker CD16 and activation markers CD10, CD62L, and CD11b were assessed on granulocytes, and monocytes, using flow-cytometry. On-site traffic-related MNPs within particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM) were collected using a high-volume sampler, and analyzed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PM, ultrafine particles, black carbon, trace metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were also monitored. Linear mixed models were used to determine associations from baseline to post-exposures, adjusting for meteorological covariates. Immediately post-exposure, traffic-related MNPs were positively associated with small increases in EGF, IL7, and MMP1 (5.2-16.9%), though not significant after multiple testing correction. The following morning we found significant false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected downregulation of CXCL9 and IL18 (2.3-8.5%), and negative associations with CD16 (-5%) on granulocytes, and CD11b on monocytes (-25.5%). Short-term exposure to the traffic-related particle mixture, including tyre-wear MNPs, was associated with changes in circulatory cytokines/chemokines, and patterns that might indicate mobilization of immature granulocytes. The delayed associations with cytokine decreases and reduced activation marker expressions could suggests resolution-phase activities, rather than inflammatory responses.
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Traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics in air increase total and differential white blood cell counts in healthy young adults
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Researchers exposed healthy young adults to traffic-related air at three different locations and measured changes in their white blood cell counts. They found that exposure to airborne micro- and nanoplastics from tire wear was significantly associated with increases in total and differential white blood cell counts, indicating an immune response. The study provides some of the first evidence in humans that short-term exposure to traffic-related plastic particles in the air can trigger measurable changes in the immune system.
Tread lightly: immuno-toxicological health effects of traffic-related polymers in healthy adults.
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Researchers studied the immunotoxicological effects of traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics in commuters exposed to tire wear particle emissions. Elevated exposure to airborne tire wear polymers was associated with measurable changes in immune cell profiles.
Tread lightly: immuno-toxicological health effects of traffic-related polymers in healthy adults.
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Researchers studied health effects in commuters exposed to traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics, primarily from tire wear, comparing outcomes between high-exposure and low-exposure groups. The study found evidence of immunotoxicological effects linked to airborne polymer particle exposure from road traffic.
Where the rubber hits the road: The health effects of traffic-related micro- and nanoplastics via inhalation
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Tiny plastic and rubber particles from tire wear, breathed in near busy roads, were linked to short-term immune cell changes in volunteers and, in a nationwide study, to higher long-term risk of death from respiratory and neurological disease. This suggests traffic pollution from tires, not just exhaust, deserves more attention in air quality policy.
Comparison of traffic-related micro- and nanoplastic concentrations at three urban locations
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Researchers measured airborne tire and road wear particles (microplastics shed from vehicle tires) at a busy urban road, a highway, and a park, finding rubber particle concentrations were 2-5 times higher near traffic compared to the park, with levels closely tracking other traffic pollutants like black carbon.
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