A new study shows that scientists have found microplastics deep in the lungs of a living person for the first time and are "shocked" by the presence of a considerable number and size of particles. Last month, researchers detected microplastic contamination in human blood for the first time, warning that the ubiquitous particles could enter all organs of the body.
The diameter of microplastics can range from 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters
The Guardian reported on April 6 that the findings were published in the international journal science science, Science of the Total Environment. For the study, the scientists took samples from healthy lung tissue from 13 patients who underwent surgery, including microplastic particles in tissue samples from 11 cases.
The results of this study were published in Total Environmental Science
The most common particles are polypropylene (PE) for plastic packaging and water pipes, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for plastic bottles. Two previous studies have shown that microplastic contamination has been found in lung tissue collected during autopsies.
"We didn't expect to find a significant number of microplastic particles in deeper areas of the lungs, or to find particles of this size," said Dr Laura Sadofsky, one of the study's authors and at Herrjok Medical School in the UK, "Which is shocking because the airways in the lower part of the lungs are small, and it was thought that particles of this size would be filtered out or blocked before entering the deep lungs." ”
The study ultimately identified 12 microplastic particles
In this study, the researchers collected lung tissue from the patients' surgical procedures as part of their routine medical care. The study analyzed particles as small as 0.003 mm and used spectroscopy to identify the types of microplastics, resulting in the identification of 12 particles.
The researchers also used control samples to illustrate the extent of background contamination. The study notes that there is "growing concern" about the hazards that may result from the ingestion and inhalation of microplastics.
"This data provides an important advance in the areas of air pollution, microplastics and human health," Sadowski added, "and this information can be used to create realistic conditions for laboratory experiments to determine the impact on human health." ”
Images of different particles identified from live human lung tissue samples
In March, Dutch scientists detected microplastics in human blood for the first time. The study confirms that these tiny particles may enter all organs of the body.
In 2021, a study of autopsy samples in Brazil found that microplastics were present in 13 of the 20 cases analyzed. In 1998, a study of lung cancer patients who died in the United States found that more than 100 samples were found to have plastic and plant fibers (such as cotton), and in cancerous tissue, 97% of the samples contained fibers, and in non-cancerous tissue, 83% were contaminated.
A 2018 study found that microplastics were found in stool samples after feeding subjects in a regular diet packaged in plastic.
Nandu reporters learned that the world produces more than 300 million tons of plastic every year, of which about 80% eventually enters landfills and other parts of the environment decompose. The diameter of microplastics can range from 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters. Tiny particles are able to float in the air and enter tap water or bottled water, and now microplastics are polluting the entire planet, from Mount Everest to the deepest oceans.
The health effects of ingesting microplastics are unclear, although studies claim it causes human cell death and allergic reactions. According to another 2021 study, microplastics can cause animals to become infected with gut inflammation, gut microbiome disorders, and other problems, which can lead to inflammatory bowel disease in humans. Another study published last year found that microplastics can deform the body's cell membranes and affect their function.
In a recent review, the scientists assessed cancer risk and concluded: "There is an urgent need for more detailed study of how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the structure and processes of the human body, and whether and how they transform cells and induce cancerous effects, especially given the exponential growth in plastic production." ”
Nandu reporter Shi Minglei