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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Evidence of Microplastics in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid among Never-Smokers: A Prospective Case Series
ClearDetection of Microplastics in Human Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid: Preliminary Evidence of Respiratory Exposure to Environmental Contaminants
Researchers analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from eight adult patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy and detected microplastics in the samples using microscopy, providing preliminary direct evidence that airborne microplastics deposit in the human respiratory tract.
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.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage as a Diagnostic Window into Human Exposure to Microplastics and Associated Lung Changes
Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis revealed microplastics in the lower respiratory tract of human patients and showed associated inflammatory changes, providing direct evidence of pulmonary microplastic exposure and supporting the need for occupational and environmental health monitoring.
New Evidence of Microplastics in the Lower Respiratory Tract: Inhalation through Smoking
Researchers collected lung fluid samples from smokers and nonsmokers and found that smokers had significantly higher concentrations of microplastics in their lower respiratory tract. A laboratory smoking simulation confirmed that cigarette smoke itself carries microplastic particles, including polyurethane and silicone. The study identifies smoking as a previously unrecognized route of microplastic inhalation, adding to the known health concerns associated with tobacco use.
Microplastics in Human Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Researchers developed a method to detect microplastics in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, a less invasive sampling technique than surgical lung biopsy, to assess human respiratory exposure. Using fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, they identified and characterized microplastic particles in lung wash samples from patients undergoing bronchoscopy. The study suggests that lavage fluid analysis could become a practical tool for monitoring microplastic exposure in human lungs.
Human Exposure to Airborne Microplastics: A Study on Detection and Potential Health Effects Using BAL Fluid
This study detected inhaled microplastics in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the lower respiratory tract of human patients and found associations between microplastic presence and markers of lung inflammation and impaired lung function.
First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens’ lower airway
Researchers provided the first evidence of microplastics in the lower airways of living European adults, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 44 patients. Nearly all detected particles were microfibers averaging about 1.7 millimeters in length, with an average concentration of roughly 9 items per 100 milliliters of fluid. The findings confirm that microplastics reach deep into the human respiratory system, though the health implications require further investigation.
Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy
Researchers analyzed lung tissue from 13 people and found microplastics in 11 of the samples, identifying 12 different plastic types including polypropylene and polyester. The particles were found in all regions of the lungs, with significantly higher concentrations in the lower lung. This is one of the first studies to directly confirm that microplastics from everyday environments can be inhaled and accumulate deep in human lung tissue.
Isolation and characterization of microplastics from the human respiratory system: Sputum, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, and pleural fluid simultaneously
In the first study of its kind in Iran, researchers found microplastics in every sample collected from the human respiratory system, including sputum, lung fluid, and the fluid surrounding the lungs. Polyester fibers were the most common type detected, and people with occupational exposure or smoking habits had higher amounts, confirming that we regularly breathe in microplastics that reach deep into our lungs.
Microplastics in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Chinese Children: Associations with Age, City Development, and Disease Features
Microplastics were detected in nearly 90% of lung fluid samples from Chinese children with respiratory diseases, with an average of about 4 particles per 10 milliliters. Younger children and those living in more developed urban areas had higher levels, likely due to more indoor crawling behavior and greater surrounding plastic use. This is significant because it confirms that children are inhaling microplastics into their lungs, and younger children may be especially vulnerable.
Detection and Analysis of Microplastics in Human Sputum
Researchers analyzed sputum (mucus from the lungs) from 22 patients with respiratory diseases and found microplastics in every single sample, identifying 21 different plastic types. Polyurethane was the most common type detected, and most particles were smaller than 500 micrometers. This study provides direct evidence that humans are inhaling microplastics, with factors like smoking and medical procedures increasing the amount found in the respiratory tract.
Microplastics in Human Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Researchers developed a new method for detecting microplastics in fluid washed from human lungs (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) and found plastic particles present in every patient tested. They also applied Nile Red staining for the first time to visualize plastics in lung samples, which proved effective for screening and counting particles. The findings provide direct evidence that microplastics are present in the human respiratory system, with a potential link to lung inflammation.
Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue
Researchers examined human lung tissue from autopsies and found microplastic particles and fibers in 13 out of 20 samples. The most common plastics were polyethylene and polypropylene, with particles smaller than 5.5 micrometers. This study provides direct evidence that inhaled microplastics accumulate in human lungs, raising concerns about potential long-term effects on respiratory health.
New evidence of the presence of micro- and nanoplastic particles in bronchioalveolar lavage samples of clinical trial subjects
Researchers found micro- and nanoplastic particles in the lung fluid of patients undergoing bronchoscopy — a procedure that samples the deep airways — marking the first detection of airborne nanoplastics in the lower respiratory tract of living humans. All samples contained plastic particles, confirming that people in Northern Europe are regularly inhaling plastics, though the health effects remain under investigation.
Geospatial environmental sources of inhaled microplastics: A case in Zhuhai, China
Researchers analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 454 participants who underwent bronchoscopy in Zhuhai, China, to identify environmental sources of inhaled microplastics. They found that proximity to roads, coastlines, and industrial parks was associated with higher microplastic levels in lung fluid. The study provides some of the first direct evidence linking specific geospatial environmental sources to the microplastics found in human lungs.
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.
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.
Impact of Airborne Microplastics on Induced Sputum of Urban Dwellers: the Role of Environmental and Occupational Factors
Researchers analyzed induced sputum samples from 25 patients with respiratory diseases and found microplastics present in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 6 to 500 particles per 100 mL. Active smokers and workers in occupations with high plastic exposure had significantly higher microplastic concentrations. The study suggests that airborne microplastic inhalation is widespread among urban residents and may be influenced by both lifestyle and occupational factors.
Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels
Researchers found that disposable plastic collection vessels used in bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial aspiration procedures can contaminate respiratory tract samples with microplastic particles, highlighting the need for blank controls and low-plastic equipment in human inhalation studies.
Deposition of microplastics associated with bioaccumulation of heavy metals in human lungs of smokers: Implications of adsorption and mobilization of metals via microplastics
Researchers compared lung tissue from smokers and non-smokers and found that smokers accumulated more microplastics alongside elevated levels of heavy metals in lung tissue, suggesting that tobacco smoke enhances chelation of heavy metals to airborne microplastics, increasing lung bioaccumulation.
Temporal Trend in Accumulation of Microplastics in Decedent Human Lungs
Researchers compared lung tissue samples from people who died in 1991 and 2024 and found that microplastic presence increased from 19% to 77% of individuals over that period, with the number of particles per gram of tissue also rising significantly. The polymer composition shifted from predominantly polyethylene to a more diverse mix including PET and PVC, and lung samples containing microplastics showed greater signs of inflammation and fibrosis.
Microplastics in urine, sputum and lung lavage fluid from patients with respiratory illnesses
Researchers analyzed urine, sputum (mucus from coughing), and lung fluid from 30 patients with respiratory conditions in Iran and found microplastics in all three types of samples. Sputum contained the most particles (358 total), dominated by polyurethane fibers, while urine had the fewest (9 particles). The different types and sizes of plastics found in each fluid suggest the body sorts and distributes inhaled and ingested microplastics through different pathways.
Investigation of the presence of microplastics and their clinical significance in patients with exacerbation and stable periods of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Researchers examined the presence of microplastics in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients during exacerbation and stable phases. MPs were detected in a majority of patient samples, and their presence was associated with greater airway inflammation, suggesting inhaled microplastics contribute to COPD pathology.
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.