Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Sign in to save

Exposure to microplastics in the upper respiratory tract of indoor and outdoor workers

Chemosphere 2022 71 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Li Liu, Ying Jiang, Li Liu, Zuosen Yang Jinchi Han, Li Liu, Zuosen Yang, Li Liu, Jinchi Han, Jing Fang, Jun Na, Jing Fang, Jun Na, Zhenggang Hua, Jing Fang, Jun Na, Zhenggang Hua, Guowei Pan, Jing Fang, Jun Na, Jing Fang, Ying Jiang, Chanchan Qi, Junge Lu, Junge Lu, Chanchan Qi, Junge Lu, Li Liu, Li Liu, Li Liu, Lingjun Yan, Junge Lu, Jinchi Han, Li Liu, Jun Na, Xiaojing Liu, Jun Na, Xiaojing Liu, Lingjun Yan, Guowei Pan, Guowei Pan, Zuosen Yang, Zhou Chang-He, Zhou Chang-He, Jing Feng, Lingjun Yan, Guowei Pan, Guowei Pan, Weiwei Zhu, Lingjun Yan, Li Liu, Jing Fang, Jing Fang, Li Liu, Guowei Pan, Guowei Pan, Wei Sun, He Jiang, Zuosen Yang, Zhenggang Hua, Zuosen Yang Zhenggang Hua, Guowei Pan, Guowei Pan, Guowei Pan, Lingjun Yan, Lingjun Yan, Lingjun Yan, Wei Sun, Guowei Pan, Wei Sun, Zuosen Yang, Zuosen Yang

Summary

Researchers measured microplastic presence in the upper respiratory tracts of indoor office workers and outdoor couriers using nasal lavage and sputum samples. The study found microplastics in both groups, with office workers showing significantly higher nasal contamination than couriers, and the dominant plastic types differing between indoor and outdoor workers.

Polymers

PA PC PE PVC

Body Systems

Respiratory

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the upper respiratory tract of indoor and outdoor workers, to assess the type and the extent of contamination. Sputum and nasal lavage fluid were collected, and plastic particles were quantitatively analyzed by polarizing microscopy and a laser direct infrared chemical imaging system. The polarized light microscopy results showed that suspicious MPs were found in the nasal lavage and sputum of both couriers and office staff, and the abundance of MPs in the nasal lavage of office staff was significantly higher than in couriers (P < 0.0001). The chemical imaging results showed that polycarbonate (24.2%) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) (23.0%) were the predominant plastic materials in the sputum of couriers, while polyamide (PA) (25.3%) and polyethylene (22.9%) were dominant in the nasal lavage fluid. The sputum and nasal lavage fluid of office staff were both dominated by PVC (39.1% and 41.1%, respectively) and PA (24.8% and 31.6%, respectively). Therefore, this study revealed that microplastic pollution was found in the respiratory tract of both indoor and outdoor workers, but the distribution of MP particles differed between the two populations.

Read via DOI PubMed

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email