Papers

20 results
|
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

Intratracheal administration of polystyrene microplastics induces pulmonary fibrosis by activating oxidative stress and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in mice

Researchers administered polystyrene microplastics directly into the lungs of mice and found that the particles induced pulmonary fibrosis by triggering oxidative stress and activating the Wnt signaling pathway. The microplastics caused damage to the lung lining cells and promoted the buildup of scar tissue in lung tissue. The study provides evidence that inhaled microplastics may contribute to serious respiratory conditions by driving fibrotic changes in the lungs.

2022 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 168 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to polystyrene microplastics triggers lung injury via targeting toll-like receptor 2 and activation of the NF-κB signal in mice

This mouse study found that inhaling polystyrene microplastics caused serious lung damage, including inflammation, cell death, and scar tissue buildup. Smaller microplastics (1-5 micrometers) caused more harm than larger ones, and the damage worsened with longer exposure. The study identified a specific immune pathway (TLR2/NF-kB) through which inhaled microplastics trigger lung injury, raising concerns about the respiratory effects of airborne microplastics on humans.

2023 Environmental Pollution 116 citations
Article Tier 2

Inhaled polystyrene nanoparticles may cause fibrotic lesions via immune dysregulation and energy metabolism disturbance

Mice received polystyrene nanoparticles via pharyngeal instillation for 90 days and were assessed for local lung and systemic toxicity. The nanoparticles accumulated in lungs and hearts, caused immune dysregulation, disrupted energy metabolism, and induced fibrotic lesions at higher doses, suggesting that chronic inhalation of nanoplastics may contribute to pulmonary fibrosis.

2025 Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Article Tier 2

Investigation of Pulmonary Inflammatory Responses Following Intratracheal instillation of and Inhalation exposure to Polypropylene Microplastics

Researchers conducted short-term pulmonary toxicity studies by exposing mice to polypropylene microplastics via intratracheal instillation and inhalation, finding dose-dependent inflammatory responses in lung tissue that confirm inhalation as a significant exposure route of concern.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Acute exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces unfolded protein response and global protein ubiquitination in lungs of mice

Mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics through their airways showed signs of cellular stress in lung tissue, including activation of the unfolded protein response (a defense mechanism cells use when proteins are damaged) and increased protein breakdown. The effects were dose-dependent, with higher nanoplastic doses causing more cellular distress. This research reveals a specific mechanism by which inhaled nanoplastics could damage lung cells, raising concerns about airborne microplastic exposure.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 12 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

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.

2025 Toxics
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

Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Inflammatory Responses and Promote M2‐Associated Cytokine Expression in Mouse Lung Tissues

Mice were given 10-50 µm polystyrene microplastics orally at 2,000 mg/kg and lung tissue was examined for biodistribution and immune response. PS-MPs accumulated in lung tissue and triggered inflammatory responses with elevated M2-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-10), suggesting microplastic inhalation may promote an immunosuppressive rather than pro-inflammatory lung phenotype.

2025 Journal of Applied Toxicology
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
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
Clinical Trial Tier 1

The Effect of Subchronic Polyethylene Microplastic Exposure on Pulmonary Fibrosis Through Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in Wistar Rats

This animal study found that breathing in polyethylene microplastics over several weeks led to lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) in rats by triggering inflammatory immune responses. The results suggest that chronic inhalation of airborne microplastics could contribute to serious lung damage in humans, since we breathe in thousands of plastic particles daily.

2025 Microplastics 1 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

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

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.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 3 citations
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

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

Polystyrene microplastics induce an immunometabolic active state in macrophages

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics taken up by macrophages — immune cells lining the gut and lungs — triggered a metabolic shift toward an inflammatory state. This finding suggests microplastics reaching human tissues may alter immune function in ways that could contribute to inflammation-related diseases.

2021 3 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Research