Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Investigation of pulmonary inflammatory responses following intratracheal instillation of and inhalation exposure to polypropylene microplastics

Rats exposed to polypropylene microplastics through both inhalation and direct lung delivery developed inflammatory responses in their lungs, including increased immune cells and tissue changes. Even at relatively low concentrations, the microplastics triggered pulmonary inflammation, supporting concerns that breathing in airborne microplastics could contribute to respiratory health problems in humans.

2024 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 25 citations
Article Tier 2

In vivo toxicity assessment of microplastics in Balb/C mice : study of inhalation exposure and its inflammatory effects

Researchers examined the in vivo toxicity of inhaled microplastics in Balb/C mice, studying pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic effects following repeated inhalation exposure. The study found dose-dependent lung inflammation and evidence of particle translocation to other organs.

2024 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

P-487 Investigation of Lung Disorder by Microplastic; Short-term Inhalation Exposure of Polypropylene in Rats

Rats were exposed to polypropylene microplastic powder via inhalation at 2 and 10 mg per cubic meter for 4 weeks, with tissue analysis at 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months post-exposure. The study assessed lung inflammation and injury markers to evaluate the occupational health risk of microplastic inhalation.

2024 Occupational Medicine 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Pulmonary toxicity of polymethyl methacrylate nanoplastics via intratracheal intubation in mice

Researchers exposed mice to polymethyl methacrylate nanoplastics through inhalation over 28 days to study their lung effects. The exposed mice experienced weight loss, nanoplastic accumulation in the lungs, increased inflammatory cell counts, and elevated inflammatory cytokines. The findings demonstrate that inhaling these common nanoplastics can induce lung inflammation, tissue damage, and changes in protein and RNA expression.

2026 Scientific Reports
Systematic Review Tier 1

Deleterious effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on rodent lungs: a systematic review

This systematic review summarizes research on how inhaled micro- and nanoplastics affect the lungs in animal studies. The findings show these particles can cause lung inflammation, tissue damage, and immune responses, suggesting that breathing in airborne microplastics may pose real risks to respiratory health.

2025
Article Tier 2

Chronic lung tissue deposition of inhaled polyethylene microplastics may lead to fibrotic lesions

In a mouse study, inhaled polyethylene microplastics accumulated in lung tissue over 90 days of repeated exposure, causing chronic inflammation, immune changes, and early signs of lung scarring (fibrosis). Even at the lowest doses, the microplastics triggered inflammatory cell buildup and thickening of lung walls. These findings suggest that long-term breathing of airborne microplastics could lead to permanent lung damage, which is concerning given rising levels of plastic particles in indoor and outdoor air.

2025 Toxicology Reports 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics inhalation: evidence in human lung tissue

Microplastic particles were found in human lung tissue samples collected during surgery, confirming that people inhale and retain microplastics in pulmonary tissue, with polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate among the polymers identified, raising concerns about chronic respiratory and inflammatory effects.

2021 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Pulmonary toxicity assessment of polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene microplastic fragments in mice

Researchers tested the lung toxicity of three common plastic types -- polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene -- in mice by exposing them to microplastic fragments. The study assessed how these inhaled microplastic particles from everyday plastics affect lung health, which is relevant since humans regularly breathe in airborne microplastics.

2024 Toxicological Research 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Respiratory Toxicity of Microplastics: Mechanisms, Clinical Outcomes, and Future Threats

This review summarized the respiratory toxicity of airborne microplastics, covering their sources, the routes by which they penetrate deep into lung tissue, and the range of clinical outcomes from chronic inflammation to potential malignancy. The authors warn that inhalation exposure represents an underappreciated and growing public health threat.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Pulmonary Toxicity of Polymethyl methacrylate nanoplastics via Intratracheal Intubation in Mice

Researchers administered polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanoplastics directly into mouse lungs via intratracheal intubation and assessed pulmonary toxicity over time. PMMA NPs caused inflammatory cell recruitment, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in the lungs, demonstrating that inhaled nanoplastics from dental and industrial PMMA sources can cause pulmonary harm.

2025
Article Tier 2

Pulmonary Toxicity of Polystyrene, Polypropylene, and Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics in Mice

Researchers tested the lung toxicity of three common microplastic types (polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride) in mice and found that all three caused pulmonary inflammation, but through different mechanisms. Polyvinyl chloride produced the most severe inflammatory response, while polystyrene and polypropylene showed distinct patterns of immune activation. The study suggests that the type of plastic inhaled matters for understanding respiratory health risks from airborne microplastics.

2022 Molecules 84 citations
Article Tier 2

No prominent toxicity of polyethylene microplastics observed in neonatal mice following intratracheal instillation to dams during gestational and neonatal period

Researchers administered polyethylene microplastics to pregnant mice via intratracheal instillation during gestation and found no prominent systemic toxicity in neonates at postnatal day 7, though the study used a limited dose range and timeframe.

2021 Toxicological Research 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Pulmonary accumulation and immune modulation by intravenously administered environmentally relevant microplastics in mice

Researchers intravenously administered environmentally relevant oxidized polyethylene microplastics to mice and tracked their distribution using fluorescent labeling. The particles primarily accumulated in the lungs and induced inflammatory cell infiltration, demonstrating that microplastics entering the bloodstream can concentrate in pulmonary tissue and trigger immune responses.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review on Polypropylene Microplastics and Respiratory Toxicity

This review of existing research shows that tiny plastic particles from polypropylene (a common plastic used in food containers and clothing) can get into our lungs when we breathe and cause harmful inflammation. Studies on animals and cells found that these microplastics damage lung tissue and trigger the body's immune system, potentially leading to breathing problems. While scientists have now detected these plastic particles in human lungs, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health risks for people.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Sub-acute polyethylene microplastic inhalation exposure induced pulmonary toxicity in wistar rats through inflammation and oxidative stress

Researchers exposed rats to airborne polyethylene microplastics through inhalation for 28 days and found significant signs of lung damage. The exposed animals showed increased inflammation markers, elevated oxidative stress, and tissue changes in the lungs compared to controls. The study provides evidence that breathing in microplastic particles from degraded plastic bags and bottles may cause pulmonary toxicity.

2025 Toxicology Reports 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Oropharyngeal Administration of Polystyrene Microplastics Induces Profibrotic and Oxidative Changes in Murine Lung Tissue

Researchers investigated the early lung effects of inhaled polystyrene microplastics in mice over a 21-day exposure period. While overall fibrosis scores did not reach statistical significance in this short timeframe, they observed significant macrophage infiltration, active particle uptake by immune cells, and upregulation of oxidative stress and fibrosis-related molecular markers. The findings suggest that microplastic inhalation triggers early immune and oxidative responses that may precede lung tissue remodeling.

2025 The Medical and Ecological Problems 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology

Researchers exposed both healthy and asthmatic mice to airborne microplastics and found significant lung inflammation, immune activation, and increased mucus production in both groups. Microplastic particles were taken up by immune cells called macrophages, and gene analysis revealed changes in immune response, cellular stress, and cell death pathways. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may worsen respiratory health in both normal and vulnerable populations.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 207 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review on Polypropylene Microplastics and Respiratory Toxicity

This review of existing research shows that tiny plastic particles from polypropylene (a common plastic used in food containers and clothing) are now found in the air we breathe and even in human lung tissue. When these microplastics get into our lungs, they can cause inflammation and damage that may lead to breathing problems and other health issues. The findings suggest we need to better understand and reduce our exposure to these plastic particles in our daily environment.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Effects of secondary microplastic on the respiratory system of BALB/c mice

Researchers exposed BALB/c mice to secondary microplastics derived from environmentally weathered plastic and assessed respiratory system effects. Secondary MPs caused greater pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress than virgin particles, suggesting that real-world aged plastics carry higher respiratory toxicity risks than pristine particles used in most laboratory studies.

2025
Article Tier 2

Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Airway Inflammation in an Acute Asthma Murine Model

Mouse experiments found that microplastic exposure worsened inflammatory responses in healthy lungs but did not further aggravate airway inflammation in mice with pre-existing asthma, suggesting the lung's response to microplastics depends on baseline immune state.

2025 Tuberculosis & respiratory diseases
Article Tier 2

Polypropylene microplastic exposure leads to lung inflammation through p38-mediated NF- κB pathway due to mitochondrial damage

Researchers found that instilling polypropylene microplastic particles into mouse lungs caused dose-dependent increases in inflammatory cell counts, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, with lung tissue analysis revealing the particles triggered inflammation via mitochondrial damage activating the p38-mediated NF-kB signaling pathway.

2022 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)

Researchers reviewed evidence showing that inhaled airborne microplastics can physically interact with the microbial community living in human lungs, disrupting its balance and triggering inflammation linked to conditions like asthma and fibrosis. Because microplastic particles have been found in lung tissue and fluid samples, inhalation is now recognized as a significant exposure route with measurable consequences for respiratory health.

2026 World Academy of Sciences Journal
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics, emerging pollutants, increased the risk of pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro: A comparative evaluation of their potential toxicity effects with different polymers and size

Researchers compared the lung toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics made from polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene in mice and human lung cells. They found that all particle types induced signs of pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation, and tissue remodeling, with polystyrene nanoplastics causing the most severe effects. The study suggests that smaller nanoplastic particles and certain polymer types may pose greater risks to lung health.

2025 Toxicology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Liver Toxicity of Neonates Following Intragastric Administration or Intratracheal Instillation of Polyethylene Microplatics to Pregnant Mice

Researchers found that pregnant mice exposed to polyethylene microplastics via oral ingestion or inhalation passed particles to offspring, causing oxidative stress and inflammation in neonatal livers, with inhalation exposure producing more severe effects than oral exposure.

2022 Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences 4 citations