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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.
One of the predominant sources releasing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) into the atmosphere is motorized road traffic tyre wear. It is unclear what exposure levels of these MNPs and their potential short-term health effects are. The objective was to study health effects associated with exposure to traffic-related MNPs in healthy adults. In 2022-2023 a panel of 23 volunteers (23 – 38 yrs) visited three traffic-locations for 4 hrs: a stop-and-go busy road, a highway and an urban background location with varying driving styles. Before and directly after each visit, and the following morning, spirometry tests were performed, respiratory symptoms were noted and blood was collected to assess subtypes of white blood cell (WBC) counts, activation markers and cytokine levels. Quartz filters collected with a high-volume sampler, and blood samples, were analyzed using double-shot pyrolysis gas-chromatography/ mass-spectrometry for the mass of synthetic- an natural rubber markers. Exposure levels of other traffic-related major air pollutants were quantified, including black carbon, ultrafine particles, iron and copper. Associations between air pollutants and pairwise differences in endpoints were assessed using mixed model analysis, adjusting for multiple confounders. Rubber polymer levels were respectively 3.5-4.5x higher at the stop-and-go location compared to the park and 1.1-1.5x higher than the highway location. Polymers had a moderate to low correlation with other pollutants, except black carbon. Preliminary results indicate no consistent associations between polymers and other air pollutants and spirometry or symptoms. Increased associations were observed between pyrolysates and relative counts of WBCs (5.8-20No consistent associations were observed between traffic-related MNPs and respiratory health. Increased associations between MNP concentrations and subtypes of WBCs, might indicate an increase in inflammatory responses in healthy adults. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558831/document
More Papers Like This
Tread lightly: immuno-toxicological health effects of traffic-related polymers in healthy adults.
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
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.
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.
Tire-Derived Microplastics as Chemically Complex Environmental Contaminants: Mechanistic Pathways, Exposure Gradients, and Implications for Environmental Health.
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Every time tires wear down on the road, they release tiny plastic and chemical particles into the air, water, and soil, and this review pulls together existing research showing these particles carry a toxic mix of chemicals linked to inflammation, blood vessel damage, and stress on the body's systems. People living near busy roads may face the highest exposure, raising concerns about long-term risks for heart and metabolic disease, though scientists say more direct research is needed to confirm exactly how much harm this causes in humans.
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