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Microplastics in urine, sputum and lung lavage fluid from patients with respiratory illnesses
Environmental Research2025
30 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 73
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
N. Jaafarzadeh,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Afshin Takdastan,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
N. Jaafarzadeh,
N. Jaafarzadeh,
N. Jaafarzadeh,
N. Jaafarzadeh,
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Afshin Takdastan,
Afshin Takdastan,
Afshin Takdastan,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
Afshin Takdastan,
Andrew Turner
Afshin Takdastan,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Mehdi Ahmadi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Afshin Takdastan,
Afshin Takdastan,
N. Jaafarzadeh,
Afshin Takdastan,
Andrew Turner
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
Afshin Takdastan,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Faezeh Jahedi,
Andrew Turner
N. Jaafarzadeh,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Maryam Haddadzadeh Shoushtari,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Mehdi Ahmadi,
Andrew Turner
Mehdi Ahmadi,
Andrew Turner
Mehdi Ahmadi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Mehdi Ahmadi,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Reza Dehbandi,
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner
Summary
Researchers analyzed urine, sputum (mucus from coughing), and lung fluid from 30 patients with respiratory conditions in Iran and found microplastics in all three types of samples. Sputum contained the most particles (358 total), dominated by polyurethane fibers, while urine had the fewest (9 particles). The different types and sizes of plastics found in each fluid suggest the body sorts and distributes inhaled and ingested microplastics through different pathways.
Because of the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in the environment there are concerns regarding human exposure. In this study, MPs have been determined in three physiological fluids: urine, sputum and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF); from 30 adult patients in Iran with respiratory conditions. A total of nine small (20-100 μm) and mainly green and red fibres of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene construction were detected in urine samples of eight participants. By contrast, 358 MPs that were dominated by small, white and transparent fibres, but also included larger (100-500 μm) fibres and fragments and spherules of various sizes, were detected in sputum samples. Here, a broader range of polymers was identified but polyurethane was dominant. In BALF samples, 123 MPs were detected that included a higher proportion of larger fibres, along with fragments and spherules. The colour distribution of these MPs was similar to that of sputum samples but polymer distribution was closer to that of urine samples. These observations suggest that MPs that are inhaled and ingested might be fractionated differently though the body. Further research is required to elucidate how particles larger than theoretical limits (set by filtration mechanisms) are present in physiological fluids, what fractionation processes are present, and whether ingested or inhaled MPs are responsible for acute and chronic health impacts.