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Assessment of microplastic exposure in nasal lavage fluid and the influence of face masks
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This study measured microplastics in nasal fluid from college students and found that wearing surgical masks actually increased microplastic exposure compared to no mask or cotton masks. Surgical masks released polycarbonate particles, and longer wear times led to higher microplastic levels. The findings suggest that while masks protect against airborne pathogens, they may be an overlooked source of microplastic inhalation.
Microplastics (MPs) can enter the human body through respiration and pose a hazard to human health. Wearing masks has become a routine behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of respirational exposure and the influence of wearing masks are currently unknown. We recruited 113 college students and divided them into natural exposure (NE), surgical mask (SM), and cotton mask (CM) groups. Nasal lavage fluid (NLF) was collected and MPs characteristics were analyzed using polarized light microscopy and laser direct infrared system. We found a relatively high abundance of MPs in NLF in the SM group (41.24 ± 1.73 particles/g). The particle size distribution and fibrous MP percentage significantly differed among the three groups. The main components in the NE, SM, and CM groups were polypropylene (58.70 %)，polycarbonate (PC, 49.49 %)，and PC (54.29 %). Components such as polyamide, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate were also detected. Wearing surgical masks increased the MP abundance in NLF (β = 0.36, P < 0.01). As the wear time increased, the abundance of MPs also rose (β = 0.28, P < 0.05). However, those who used bedding containing synthetic fibers had lower MP abundance in their NLF. This study highlights the use of NLF to evaluate MP exposure, which is associated with potential health risks.
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Researchers used nasal lavage, a technique that rinses the nasal cavity, to measure microplastics that people inhale during normal daily activities. They found an average of about 28 microplastic particles per sample across all participants, with eight different polymer types detected. Notably, the study found no significant difference in microplastic levels between different types of face masks, suggesting that everyday environmental exposure is the primary source of inhaled microplastics rather than mask materials.
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Researchers simulated real-world mask usage and found that commonly used face masks — including surgical and cloth types — shed measurable quantities of microplastic particles that could be inhaled by the wearer, raising concerns about respiratory exposure during prolonged mask use.
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