Subacute PVC Microplastic Inhalation Alters the Complete Blood Count Profile

Plastics are used in a wide range of items worldwide. With the increased usage of plastics, concerns about environmental contamination and the body's exposure to plastics have increased. Microplastics have been found in the atmosphere, and breathing them in might cause a risk to our health. One plastic polymer type commonly used is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). However, the harmful consequences of inhaling PVC microplastics are not well known. This study aims to determine the effects of inhaling PVC microplastics on female Wistar rats' blood cells. We exposed PVC microplastics to female Wistar rats via the whole-body inhalation method for 28 days. At the end of the study, we analyzed morphology and completed blood count tests such as erythrocyte count, erythrocyte index, leukocyte count, leukocyte differential count, and thrombocyte count. We discovered that sub-acute exposure to PVC microplastics increases the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels without causing morphology alteration. PVC microplastics groups showed leukopenia consistent with an increment of inflammatory marker neutrophil/ leukocyte ratio. PVC microplastic groups also showed a rise in thrombocyte counts. These results could provide data for understanding Microplastics inhalation's toxicity and health risks, especially in the blood.