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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to 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
ClearPulmonary 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.
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.
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.
Size-dependent toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in lung cells: An in vivo and in vitro study
Researchers investigated the size-dependent toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in lung cells using both mouse and cell culture models. The study found that smaller 1-micrometer particles accumulated more in lung tissue than larger particles and identified epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a key toxic mechanism, driven by ECM-MMP signaling cascades that contribute to lung injury.
Fabrication of microplastic and nanoplastic particles and fibres for use in pulmonary toxicity studies
Researchers developed methods to fabricate polyamide, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate micro/nanoplastics in particle and fiber forms of respirable dimensions, addressing the limitation that most pulmonary toxicity studies have used only commercially available polystyrene spheres.
Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells
This study examined how the size and type of plastic particles affect their toxicity to human lung cells. Researchers tested environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics with irregular shapes, rather than the uniform spheres typically used in lab studies, to better mimic real-world exposure. The findings contribute to a growing understanding that particle size and polymer composition both matter when assessing the potential health risks of inhaling airborne plastic particles.
Repeated inhalation exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induced sustained pulmonary injury and fibrosis in mice.
Scientists exposed mice to tiny plastic particles found in air pollution and discovered these particles caused serious lung damage and scarring that didn't heal even weeks after exposure stopped. The smallest plastic particles were the most harmful, spreading from the lungs to other organs like the heart and liver. This research suggests that breathing in nanoplastics from everyday sources like car tire wear and plastic waste could pose long-term risks to human lung health.
Fabrication of microplastic and nanoplastic particles and fibres for use in pulmonary toxicity studies
Researchers developed fabrication methods to produce micro- and nanoplastics from three environmentally relevant polymers (polyamide, polypropylene, and PET) in both particle and fiber shapes, addressing a critical gap in pulmonary toxicity research where most studies use only polystyrene spheres.
Size-Dependent Pulmonary Toxicity and Whole-Body Distribution of Inhaled Micro/Nanoplastic Particles in Male Mice from Chronic Exposure
Researchers exposed mice to airborne micro- and nanoplastic particles through normal breathing over an extended period and found the highest accumulation in the lungs, followed by the blood and spleen. Surprisingly, the larger 1-micrometer microplastics caused more severe lung damage than the smaller 80-nanometer particles, triggering inflammation, cell death, and scarring. These findings highlight that breathing in airborne plastic particles poses real health risks, with particle size playing an important role in the type of damage caused.
Unveiling the Pulmonary Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics: A Hierarchical Oxidative Stress Mechanism Driving Acute–Subacute Lung Injury
Researchers investigated the pulmonary toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics smaller than 100 nm in lung epithelial cells and macrophages, finding that exposure triggered a hierarchical oxidative stress mechanism that drove acute to subacute lung injury through lipid peroxidation and inflammation.
Pulmonary hazards of nanoplastic particles: a study using polystyrene in in vitro models of the alveolar and bronchial epithelium
Lab tests on human lung cell models found that polystyrene nanoplastics did not cause immediate cell death but did interfere with key lung functions like surfactant and mucus production and immune signaling. This means standard toxicity tests may underestimate the real danger of inhaling nanoplastics, and researchers need to look beyond simple cell survival to understand the true health effects on the lungs.
Size-Dependent PulmonaryToxicity and Whole-Body Distributionof Inhaled Micro/Nanoplastic Particles in Male Mice from Chronic Exposure
Researchers used a whole-body inhalation exposure system to chronically expose male mice to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics at environmental concentrations and tracked particle distribution and lung toxicity. Nanoplastics (80 nm) showed greater tissue transport than microplastics (1 µm), with highest accumulation in lungs followed by blood and spleen, and both sizes disrupted oxidative balance and antioxidant defenses.
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.
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.
Intratracheal Administration of Polystyrene Micro(nano)plastics with a Mixed Particle Size Promote Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats by Activating TGF-β1 Signaling and Destabilizing Mitochondrial Dynamics and Mitophagy in a Dose- and Time-Dependent Manner.
SD rats exposed to mixed polystyrene micro(nano)plastics via intratracheal administration at escalating doses over time developed pulmonary fibrosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, with severity linked to dose. The findings demonstrated a clear biological pathway connecting inhaled microplastic exposure to lung injury.
Fabrication of microplastic and nanoplastic particles and fibres for use in pulmonary toxicity studies
Researchers developed fabrication methods for polyamide, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate micro/nanoplastics in both particle and fiber forms, producing respirable-sized test materials with verified chemical purity for use in more environmentally realistic lung toxicity studies.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induced lung injury in mice: Insights into lung metabolic disorders
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics through the airway and found that the particles caused lung inflammation and tissue damage. Using metabolomics analysis, they discovered that the nanoplastics disrupted multiple metabolic pathways in lung tissue, with surface-modified particles causing more severe effects. The study provides evidence that inhaled nanoplastics can alter lung metabolism in ways that may contribute to respiratory health problems.
Foodborne and airborne polyethersulfone nanoplastics respectively induce liver and lung injury in mice: Comparison with microplastics
Researchers compared the effects of polyethersulfone micro and nanoplastics when consumed through food versus inhaled through air in mice. Eaten particles mainly damaged the liver by disrupting gut bacteria and metabolism, while inhaled particles primarily harmed the lungs. Nanoplastics caused more damage than microplastics in both cases, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles we breathe and eat may pose the greatest health risks.
Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review
A systematic scoping review of 68 studies found that inhaled micro- and nanoplastics are detected in human lung tissue and associated with pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired lung function, though most evidence comes from occupational settings and in vitro experiments.
Influence of the polymer type on the impact of microplastic particles
Researchers compared the cellular effects of polystyrene, polyethylene, PVC, and PLA microparticles on murine macrophages and epithelial cells, assessing uptake and cytotoxicity. All polymer types were ingested by macrophages, but the degree of cytotoxicity varied by polymer composition.
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.
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.
Microplastics as environmental modifiers of lung disease
This review examines growing evidence that inhaled microplastics may contribute to lung diseases including asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Researchers found that different plastic types, sizes, and weathering states can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular changes in lung tissue, suggesting microplastics may act as environmental modifiers that worsen respiratory conditions.
Realistic Nanoplastics Induced Pulmonary Damage via the Crosstalk of Ferritinophagy and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Researchers created realistic nanoplastics by mechanically breaking down bulk plastic rather than using lab-made particles, and found that inhaling these particles caused significant lung damage in mice through iron-related cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction. PVC nanoplastics were the most harmful of the four types tested, and all were more toxic than commonly used lab-standard polystyrene spheres, suggesting previous studies may have underestimated the lung health risks of airborne nanoplastics.