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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to How microplastics are transported and deposited in realistic upper airways?
ClearTransport and deposition of microplastics and nanoplastics in the human respiratory tract
Using computer modeling of the full human respiratory tract, researchers found that both micro- and nanoplastics deposit in distinct patterns depending on particle size, shape, and breathing rate, with faster breathing pushing more particles into the upper airways. This study helps identify which areas of the lungs are most vulnerable to plastic particle buildup, which is important for understanding long-term respiratory health risks.
Simulating microplastics path in human airways
This study used computational fluid dynamics to simulate how microplastic particles of varying sizes and shapes travel through human airways, generating data to inform understanding of deposition patterns and respiratory health risks.
Particle deposition in the human lung as a function of microplastics’ shape, size, orientation, and type
Researchers modeled how microplastic fibers deposit in different regions of the human lung based on their size, shape, and orientation during inhalation. They found that the highest deposition fraction occurred in the nasopharyngeal region for larger fibers, while the smallest fibers with diameters of 0.75 micrometers reached the deepest alveolar regions. The study provides the first systematic assessment of how fiber geometry affects lung deposition patterns for airborne microplastics.
Breathing in danger: Mapping microplastic migration in the human respiratory system
This study used computer modeling to simulate how microplastic particles travel through the human airways when we breathe. Smaller particles and fibers penetrate deeper into the lungs, and faster breathing pushes more particles into the upper airways. The findings help explain where microplastics are most likely to settle in the respiratory system, which is important for understanding potential lung damage from airborne plastic pollution.
Atmospheric aerosol-microplastics intake and deposition in the alveolar region by considering dynamic behavior of acinar airways
Researchers analyzed the intake and deposition of atmospheric aerosol-associated microplastics in the alveolar region of the lung by modeling the dynamic behavior of acinar airways. The study improved understanding of how airborne microplastic particles are transmitted through the deepest regions of the respiratory system under physiologically realistic conditions.
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.
Breath of pollutants: How breathing patterns influence microplastic accumulation in the human lung
Using computer simulations of the human respiratory system, researchers found that how you breathe affects where microplastics settle in your lungs. Slower breathing tends to deposit larger microplastics in the main airways, while faster breathing pushes particles deeper into the lungs, helping scientists identify which parts of the lung are most at risk from microplastic exposure.
Regional and population-scale trends in human inhalation exposure to airborne microplastics: Implications for health risk assessment
Scientists built a model of how inhaled microplastics deposit throughout the human respiratory tract and found that the smallest particles (0.1-5 micrometers) penetrate deepest and contribute most to internal accumulation over time. The study also found that infants, children, and the elderly are most vulnerable to short-term airborne microplastic exposure, while adolescents and adults face greater risk from long-term accumulation.
Identification and characterization of microplastics in human nasal samples
Researchers collected samples from human nasal cavities and confirmed the presence of microplastics, with polyethylene, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene being the most common types. This finding adds the nose to the growing list of human body sites where microplastics have been detected, raising questions about potential health effects on the respiratory system.
Assessing inhalation intake of microplastics using MPPD model
Researchers used a computer model from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to estimate how many airborne microplastics people inhale and where they deposit in the lungs. They found that the estimated mass deposited in human lungs ranged from about 19 to 50 micrograms, with the deep lung region being of particular concern because particles there are cleared very slowly. The study highlights the urgent need to better measure the size distribution of airborne microplastics in the breathable range to accurately assess inhalation risks.
In Silico Inhalation Exposure Analysis of Indoor Microplastics/Microfibers Using Two-Year-Old Child Respiratory Tract Model
Researchers used computational fluid-particle dynamics to simulate how indoor airborne microplastics are inhaled and deposited in the airways of a two-year-old child. The study modeled particle transport in a realistic airway geometry extending to the eighth bronchial generation under different postures. The findings suggest that young children may experience significant microplastic deposition in their developing lungs, highlighting the importance of indoor air quality for child health.
Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges
This review examines how microplastics deposited in human lungs can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced lung function. Because these tiny particles can reach deep into the lungs where oxygen enters the blood, they raise concerns about long-term respiratory disease and the possibility of spreading to other organs.
Modelling the effect of shape on atmospheric microplastic transport
Using atmospheric transport modeling, researchers showed that the shape of microplastic particles significantly affects how far they travel through the air. Long fibers can spread over a 32% larger area than spherical particles of the same size, and shape matters most for particles larger than 6 micrometers. Since particles in the 6 to 10 micrometer range can reach deep into human lungs, accurately accounting for shape is important for predicting where airborne microplastics end up and who might be breathing them in.
Characterization of the Morphological and Chemical Profile of Different Families of Microplastics in Samples of Breathable Air
Researchers characterized the morphological and chemical profiles of airborne microplastics collected from breathable air samples, finding diverse polymer types and particle shapes and examining how these particles are transported through the atmosphere to the air people breathe.
The fate of airborne microfibers in the human respiratory tract in different microenvironments
Researchers modeled how airborne microplastic fibers deposit and clear from the human respiratory tract across different indoor and outdoor environments. They found that the largest fiber doses accumulated during bus travel and in certain indoor settings, with most deposited fibers eventually being cleared from the lungs to the digestive tract. The study suggests that inhaled microplastics represent a meaningful exposure pathway, particularly in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
Quantifying the influence of size, shape, and density of microplastics on their transport modes: A modeling approach
Researchers developed a computer model that predicts how microplastics of different sizes, shapes, and densities move through ocean water. The model accurately simulates whether particles float on the surface, stay suspended in the water column, or settle to the bottom. Understanding how microplastics travel through marine environments is important for predicting where contamination accumulates and which seafood sources are most likely to be affected.
Presence of microplastics in human’s respiratory system: bronchoalveolar and bronchial lavage fluid
Researchers analyzed bronchial and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients undergoing bronchoscopy and confirmed the presence of microplastics in the human respiratory system. They characterized the types, sizes, and quantities of microplastic particles found at different levels of the airways. The study provides direct evidence that microplastics deposit within human lungs and suggests that respiratory exposure is a meaningful route of human microplastic intake.
Exploring the potential and challenges of developing physiologically-based toxicokinetic models to support human health risk assessment of microplastic and nanoplastic particles
This review explores the challenge of building computer models to predict how micro- and nanoplastics move through the human body after being inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. While particle size and surface chemistry are well-studied, factors like shape, polymer type, and biological coatings need more attention. The authors propose a framework for a physiologically-based model that could help scientists better estimate how much plastic actually reaches human tissues.
Study of suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess human exposure through inhalation
Researchers investigated suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess the extent of human exposure through inhalation. The study quantified airborne microplastic particles in indoor settings, providing data on a potentially important but understudied route of daily microplastic intake for the general population.
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.
Effects of Shape and Size on Microplastic Atmospheric Settling Velocity
Researchers measured atmospheric settling and horizontal drift velocities of various microplastic shapes and sizes in controlled settling chambers, providing empirical data needed to improve atmospheric transport models that explain how microplastics reach remote environments.
The Effect of Nanoplastics and Microplastics on Lung Morphology and Physiology: a Systematic Review
This systematic review examines how inhaled microplastics and nanoplastics affect lung structure and function. The research found that indoor microplastic concentrations are often higher than outdoor levels due to household materials shedding fibers, and that inhaled particles can accumulate in different parts of the lungs. These findings suggest that breathing in plastic particles at home and work could contribute to respiratory health problems over time.
Inhalable microplastics of different shapes disrupt airway epithelial homeostasis: A comparative study of fibers and irregular particles
Researchers compared the lung effects of fiber-shaped versus irregularly shaped microplastics in mice and cell models. They found that fibrous microplastics caused more severe airway damage, inflammation, and disruption of the protective mucus barrier than irregular particles. The study suggests that the shape of inhaled microplastics matters significantly for how much harm they may cause to the respiratory system.
Why is inhalation the most discriminative route of microplastics exposure?
This review examined why inhalation is the most discriminative route of microplastic exposure, highlighting differences between indoor and outdoor airborne microplastics and the unique vulnerability of the respiratory system to polymer-specific particle characteristics.