Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

The Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Nasal Airway and Upper Respiratory Tract

This review examines the effects of airborne microplastics on the upper respiratory tract and nasal region, an area largely overlooked despite being the initial point of contact with inhaled particles. The literature collectively indicates that microplastics may cause changes in cell morphology, cytotoxicity, and inflammatory effects in nasal tissues, with potential impacts on patient quality of life.

2025 Sinusitis 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Acute Exposure to Aerosolized Nanoplastics Modulates Redox-Linked Immune Responses in Human Airway Epithelium

Researchers exposed a 3D model of human airway tissue from 14 healthy donors to aerosolized polystyrene nanoplastics over three days and found that while the particles did not cause structural damage, they triggered changes in immune-related gene expression. The nanoplastics activated oxidative stress pathways and altered the expression of genes involved in inflammation and antioxidant defense. The study suggests that even short-term inhalation of nanoplastics could subtly shift immune responses in the airways.

2025 Antioxidants 4 citations
Letter Tier 3

Correspondence Regarding “Inflammatory Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Nasal Airway Epithelial Cells”

This correspondence comments on a study showing that microplastics and nanoplastics trigger inflammation in nasal airway cells, with effects varying by particle size and surface charge. The author highlights the study's value for understanding how inhaled plastic particles may harm the respiratory system.

2026 International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of nasal microplastic densities in patients with acute and chronic rhinitis

Researchers compared microplastic concentrations in the nasal passages of patients with acute versus chronic rhinitis. They found higher microplastic densities in patients with acute inflammation, suggesting that these particles may play a role in triggering or worsening nasal flare-ups. The findings point to a need for further research into how inhaled microplastics could affect upper respiratory health over time.

2025 Acta Oto-Laryngologica 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Hazard Assessment of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cells, Focusing on the Autophagic Effects

Researchers exposed primary human nasal epithelial cells to polystyrene nanoplastics of two sizes and found that the smaller particles caused more significant cellular changes, including activation of autophagy pathways. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress and altered cell processes related to waste recycling within cells. The study highlights the potential health risks of inhaling airborne nanoplastics, an exposure route that remains understudied.

2023 Biomolecules 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Microplastic Inhalation on Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis

Researchers analyzed nasal lavage samples from rhinitis patients and healthy controls, finding significantly higher microplastic concentrations in both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis groups compared to controls. Younger participants and those with more severe symptoms tended to have higher microplastic levels in their nasal passages. The study suggests that inhaled microplastics may play a role in nasal inflammation, though more research is needed to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

2025 American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Atmospheric Aging on the Respiratory Toxicityof Polystyrene Nanoplastic Particles

Researchers exposed human bronchial epithelial cells to atmospherically aged polystyrene nanoplastics at an air-liquid interface, finding significantly elevated expression of inflammatory genes IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-6 compared to fresh nanoplastics, demonstrating that environmental aging increases respiratory toxicity.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Airborne polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics induce nasal and lung microbial dysbiosis in mice

Researchers found that airborne polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics can induce microbial dysbiosis in the nasal passages and lungs of mice. The study showed that both micro- and nanoplastics altered airway microbiota composition, with microplastics having a stronger influence on lung bacterial communities, suggesting that inhaled plastic particles may disrupt respiratory microbial balance.

2022 Chemosphere 77 citations
Letter Tier 3

Reply to Correspondence Regarding “Inflammatory Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Nasal Airway Epithelial Cells”

Researchers respond to peer feedback on their study of how microplastics and nanoplastics trigger inflammation in nasal airway cells, acknowledging the need for better controls, additional plastic types, and longer exposure time points in future experiments. The exchange highlights ongoing efforts to improve experimental rigor as scientists work to understand how inhaled plastic particles affect the upper respiratory tract.

2026 International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
Article Tier 2

In vitro evaluation of nanoplastics using human lung epithelial cells, microarray analysis and co-culture model

Researchers tested polystyrene nanoplastics on two types of human lung cells and found that the particles caused cell damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related gene changes at relatively low concentrations. Using a co-culture model that mimics the lung's layered structure, they showed that nanoplastics can trigger immune responses even in cells not directly exposed. The study suggests that inhaled nanoplastics may pose respiratory health risks through both direct toxicity and inflammatory signaling.

2021 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 199 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure Triggers an Activation and Stress Response in Human Astrocytes

Researchers exposed primary human astrocytes to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that these particles triggered cellular stress responses, including increased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of inflammatory pathways. Nanoplastics were particularly effective at penetrating cells and disrupting normal astrocyte function. The findings suggest that plastic particle exposure may contribute to neuroinflammatory processes in the brain, warranting further investigation into potential neurotoxic effects.

2025 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Unmodified Polystyrene Nanoparticles Induce Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Responses in Human Lung Epithelial Cells

Exposure of human lung epithelial cells to unmodified polystyrene nanoparticles (60 nm) at concentrations as low as 50 µg/mL reduced cell viability by about 50% and triggered expression of inflammatory genes including IL-6 and CXCL10. These results suggest that nanoplastic particles reaching the respiratory tract could provoke lung inflammation, raising concerns about the health consequences of inhaling airborne nanoplastics.

2023 International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
Article Tier 2

Development of Apical-out Airway Organoids to Evaluate Respiratory Toxicity of Polystyrene Microplastics

Researchers developed apical-out airway organoids as an in vitro model to evaluate the respiratory toxicity of polystyrene microplastics, finding that microplastic exposure induced inflammation and barrier disruption in a model that better represents human airway exposure than standard cell cultures.

2025 Journal of Chest Surgery
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure causes inflammation and death of esophageal cell

Researchers exposed human esophageal cells to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles triggered significant inflammation and cell death. The nanoplastics activated inflammatory signaling pathways and caused oxidative damage to the cells at concentrations relevant to human dietary exposure. The findings raise concerns about the potential effects of nanoplastic contamination in food and drinking water on the upper digestive tract.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary Study of Microplastic in Allergic Rhinitis

Researchers compared microplastic concentrations in the nasal cavities of patients with allergic rhinitis versus healthy individuals. They found significantly higher levels of microplastics in the noses of people with the allergic condition. This preliminary finding suggests a potential connection between microplastic exposure in the nasal passages and allergic airway conditions, though more research is needed to understand the relationship.

2025 Ear Nose & Throat Journal 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Atmospheric Aging on the Respiratory Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastic Particles

Researchers exposed human bronchial epithelial cells to atmospherically aged polystyrene nanoplastics at an air-liquid interface, finding that oxidized particles significantly elevated inflammatory gene expression (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6) compared to fresh particles, demonstrating that environmental aging enhances respiratory toxicity.

2025 Chemical Research in Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics on allergic airways and potential pathogenesis: a review

This review examines how microplastics, which can enter the body through breathing, eating, and skin contact, may affect allergic airway conditions. Researchers found evidence that microplastics can damage airway lining cells, disrupt the protective barrier of the respiratory tract, and trigger heightened airway reactivity. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure may worsen allergic airway inflammation, though more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved.

2025 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in patients with allergic rhinitis

In a study of 66 patients, researchers found significantly more microplastic particles in nasal wash samples from people with allergic rhinitis compared to healthy volunteers. The microplastics found were mostly fibers and fragments small enough to deposit in nasal passages during normal breathing. This is among the first studies to link airborne microplastic exposure in the nose to an allergic condition, suggesting inhaled microplastics may contribute to nasal inflammation.

2023 European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastic particles: In vitro pulmonary toxicity assessment

Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics on human lung cells in the laboratory and found that the particles triggered inflammation and oxidative stress. The microplastics also weakened the protective barrier function of lung tissue by depleting key structural proteins. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may increase the risk of respiratory problems by damaging the lung's natural defenses.

2019 Journal of Hazardous Materials 654 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of true-to-life PET nanoplastics using primary human nasal epithelial cells

Researchers exposed human nasal cells to nanoplastics made from real PET water bottles and found that the particles were absorbed into cells and triggered oxidative stress. The nanoplastics also disrupted mitochondrial function and activated the cell's autophagy cleanup pathway. Since the nose is the first barrier encountered when breathing in airborne plastic particles, these findings suggest that nasal tissues may be particularly vulnerable to nanoplastic exposure.

2023 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Allergic Rhinitis: Multimechanistic Drivers of Barrier Disruption and Immune Dysregulation

This review examines the multimechanistic pathways by which microplastics drive barrier disruption and immune dysregulation in allergic rhinitis, considering how physical and chemical properties of microplastic particles interact with nasal epithelial and immune function. The paper synthesizes emerging evidence on microplastics as a novel contributor to upper airway allergic disease.

2025 Immunology
Article Tier 2

Internalization and toxicity: A preliminary study of effects of nanoplastic particles on human lung epithelial cell

Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene nanoplastic particles on human lung cells and found that the particles were internalized by the cells and caused dose-dependent toxicity. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted normal cell function. The findings suggest that inhaling airborne nanoplastics may pose risks to respiratory health.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 613 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles

Researchers investigated the cellular-level toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles and found that they stimulated immune responses in a size- and concentration-dependent manner. The particles triggered the production of cytokines and chemokines, which are signaling molecules involved in inflammation. The study challenges the common assumption that microplastics pose minimal risk to human health, suggesting they may have immunological effects upon direct contact with cells.

2020 Scientific Reports 630 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in human nasal mucosa

Microplastic particles were detected for the first time in human nasal mucosa samples, with polymer types and concentrations quantified, providing direct evidence that the upper respiratory tract is a site of microplastic deposition from inhaled air.

2024 Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie