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Impact of artificial sunlight aging on the respiratory effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics through degradation-mediated terephthalic acid release in male mice
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Researchers found that polyethylene terephthalate microplastics degraded by sunlight release terephthalic acid, a chemical that caused lung inflammation and increased airway resistance in mice. They developed a model estimating that 10% to 60% of airborne PET could reach this level of degradation in sunny regions during summer. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in the air may pose greater respiratory risks than fresh particles due to the chemicals released as they break down.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, leading to human exposure through inhalation. Airborne microplastics undergo degradation due to sunlight irradiation, yet the respiratory risks associated with degraded microplastics remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the respiratory effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degraded by artificial sunlight and created a transport and degradation model of PET for risk assessment. PET fibers were cut and subjected to artificial sunlight irradiation. Mice exposed to aged PET showed increased airway resistance induced by methacholine (MCh) inhalation, along with lung inflammation and neutrophil infiltration. Terephthalic acid (TPA) was continuously released from PET aged by artificial sunlight. Exposure to TPA also caused lung inflammation and enhanced airway resistance induced by MCh in mice. These findings indicate that aged PET can cause respiratory impairment via TPA release. A simple transport and degradation model was developed to quantitatively relate the abundance of aged PET produced in this study (i.e. 4,000 × 96 W m-2 h) and aged fractions of PET that can be generated in the atmosphere. Our results suggested 10% to 60% of PET was degraded as that produced in this study over sunny regions in summer, whereas only lower than 1% in high-latitude cities in Europe in winter. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the abundance of aged PET and further development of a transport and degradation model of PET to assess the risk of degraded PET in the atmosphere.
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When PVC microplastics (found in things like plastic pipes and packaging) sit out in sunlight, they break down and become more reactive, and this study found that "sun-aged" plastic particles cause worse lung inflammation and damage to protective lung tissue than fresh, unweathered plastic particles do, at least in mice. This matters because the microplastics we actually breathe in from outdoor air have likely been sitting in the sun for a while, meaning real-world airborne microplastics could be more harmful to our lungs than lab studies using pristine plastic particles suggest.
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Scientists exposed mice to tiny plastic particles from PET (a common plastic in bottles and polyester clothing) and found the particles stuck around in the lungs for two weeks and triggered inflammation, especially when combined with allergens like ragweed pollen. This suggests breathing in these ultra-small plastic fragments could worsen allergic reactions or immune responses, though this was tested in mice at controlled doses, so more research is needed before we know exactly what this means for people breathing in everyday microplastics.
Accelerated photoaging of microplastic - polyethylene terephthalate: physical, chemical, morphological properties and pesticide adsorption
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Researchers subjected polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics to accelerated photoaging under simulated sunlight, characterizing changes in surface chemistry, crystallinity, and mechanical properties over time. Photoaging increased surface oxidation, reduced molecular weight, and enhanced the release of plastic additives, suggesting aged PET microplastics present greater chemical hazard than pristine particles.
Effects of secondary microplastic on the respiratory system of BALB/c mice
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Researchers exposed BALB/c mice to secondary microplastics derived from environmentally weathered plastic and assessed respiratory system effects. Secondary MPs caused greater pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress than virgin particles, suggesting that real-world aged plastics carry higher respiratory toxicity risks than pristine particles used in most laboratory studies.
Photo-induced degradation of single-use polyethylene terephthalate microplastics under laboratory and outdoor environmental conditions
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Researchers tested how sunlight, water, and physical wear work together to break down PET microplastics, the type commonly found in plastic bottles and food packaging. Over 60 days, combined UV light and water exposure caused significant chemical degradation of the plastic surfaces. This matters because as microplastics break down in the environment, they release smaller fragments and potentially harmful chemicals that are easier for organisms to absorb.
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