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Causal relationship between micro- and nanoplastics and lung function
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Researchers quantified micro- and nanoplastic levels in whole blood from young adults using pyrolysis GC-MS and measured lung function by spirometry, analyzing the causal relationship between circulating plastic particle burden and forced expiratory volume and vital capacity outcomes.
The study quantified micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure in young adults by analyzing whole-blood samples using pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (1). Lung function—specifically forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC)—was assessed through standardized spirometry following international recommendations as previously done in the PIAMA cohort (2). For the statistical models, the minimally sufficient adjustment set included age, sex, height, and weight at the time of blood collection. The fully adjusted models additionally accounted for recent respiratory infections within the preceding three weeks (yes/no), the participant’s educational attainment (higher vocational education or university, yes/no), parental educational attainment (at least one parent with higher vocational education or university, yes/no), and active smoking (>1×/week, yes/no). Participant educational attainment and parental educational attainment are included together in the DAG to represent socioeconomic position (SEP). 1. Shao K, Zou R, Zhang Z, Mandemaker LDB, Timbie S, Smith RD, et al. Advancements in Assays for Micro- and Nanoplastic Detection: Paving the Way for Biomonitoring and Exposomics Studies. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2025;65(1):567-85. 2. Milanzi EB, Koppelman GH, Smit HA, Wijga AH, Oldenwening M, Vonk JM, et al. Air pollution exposure and lung function until age 16 years: the PIAMA birth cohort study. European Respiratory Journal. 2018;52(3). Abbreviations: MNPs, Micro- and nanoplastics; SEP, Socioeconomic Position
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Researchers systematically reviewed experimental and epidemiological evidence linking inhaled microplastics and nanoplastics to pulmonary disorders including COPD, asthma, and fibrosis, identifying oxidative stress as the dominant initiating mechanism that cascades into mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, barrier disruption, and multiple forms of cell death.
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Toxicological effects of different particle sizes and types of nano-plastics (NPs) on human lung cells: implications for the health risk of airborne microplastic pollution
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Researchers exposed human A549 alveolar cells to polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics of 30 and 50 nm and found that smaller size and higher concentration produced stronger cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis—with PS nanoparticles more toxic than PMMA—providing in vitro evidence of respiratory health risks from inhaled airborne nanoplastics.
Microplastics and Respiratory Health
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This review paper looks at what scientists currently know about tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the air we breathe and how they might affect our lungs. The research suggests these particles, which come from things like synthetic clothing, packaging, and car tires, can be inhaled deep into our lungs and may contribute to inflammation and other breathing problems, though more research is still needed to fully understand the risks. This matters because microplastics are now essentially everywhere in our environment, so understanding their health effects could help guide future safety guidelines and personal choices.
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Researchers reviewed the occurrence, distribution, and health hazards of airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments, finding that inhalation is a significant and underappreciated exposure route with potential respiratory and systemic health consequences.
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