New Evidence of Microplastics in the Lower Respiratory Tract: Inhalation through Smoking

Abstract

To investigate the relation of smoking and microplastic inhalation, we conducted a prospective study combining population-based and experimental work. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 17 smokers and 15 nonsmokers were collected in Zhuhai City, China. We simulated an active smoking model to explore the contribution of smoking to inhaled microplastics. The characteristics of microplastics in BALF samples and cigarette smoke were determined using laser direct infrared spectroscopy. We compared the differences between smokers and nonsmokers as well as between cigarette smoke and control groups. Microplastics were identified positive in all BALF samples. Smokers had higher concentrations of total microplastics (25.86 particles/ g), polyurethane (11.34 particles/g), and silicone (1.15 particles/ g) than nonsmokers. In the cigarette smoking simulation model, higher concentrations of total microplastics (9.99 particles/L), polyurethane (4.66 particles/L), and silicone (2.78 particles/L) were present in the cigarette smoke than those in the control group. We confirmed and extended the evidence on the presence of microplastics in the lower respiratory tract. These findings also provide new evidence on the relation between cigarette smoking and microplastic inhalation.

Entanglement of Daphnia magna by Fibrous Microplastics through “Hook and Loop” Action

“…Plastic pollution is a burgeoning global environment concern. , With plastic fragmentation occurring in the environment, ubiquitous microplastics (MPs) smaller than 5 mm present a substantial threat in the ecosystems . Nowadays, MPs have been found to be accessible to organisms ranging from small invertebrates to large predatory mammals and even humans, with the potential to induce negative impacts. − However, most of the available knowledge originates from laboratory toxicity studies, primarily focusing on MPs ingestion . Beyond ingestion, entanglements by large marine plastic debris (e.g., ropes, bags, nests and fishing gear) have been extensively reported in various large marine animals, including marine mammals, seabirds, and marine turtles. , Recent findings have suggested that other noningestive pathways, like entanglement or bioadhesion, might play an important yet overlooked role in the interactions between MPs and aquatic organisms .…”

New evidence of the presence of micro- and nanoplastic particles in bronchioalveolar lavage samples of clinical trial subjects

“…Although a post-mortem study on human lung tissue-associated MPs has shown the chemistry and geometry of the particles, there was no linkage between clinical data and MPs load [ 12 ]. To date, only three studies have reported evidence of the presence of microplastics, but not nanoplastics, in human BALF samples [ [18] , [19] , [20] ]. Research conducted by Lu et al [ 18 ] and Qiu et al (2023) in China has revealed the presence of MPs in all examined BALF samples from the population of Zhuihai city, by employing laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR).…”

“…To date, only three studies have reported evidence of the presence of microplastics, but not nanoplastics, in human BALF samples [ [18] , [19] , [20] ]. Research conducted by Lu et al [ 18 ] and Qiu et al (2023) in China has revealed the presence of MPs in all examined BALF samples from the population of Zhuihai city, by employing laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR). Studies have reported that MPs were commonly found as fibers.…”

“…Studies have reported that MPs were commonly found as fibers. Lu et al [ 18 ] have shown that BALF samples from smokers contained a higher concentration of MPs compared to non-smokers, 25.86 and 13.37 particles/g, respectively. Qiu et al [ 19 ] have reported the composition of MPs in BALF samples from never-smokers mostly diagnosed with lung cancer, where most concentrations of MPs ranged from 0.2 to 140.9 particles/g of BALF and were composed of polyethylene (86.1%) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (7.5%) within the size range of 20–80 μm.…”

Inhaled Microplastics and Airway Development: Concerning Evidence from Organoids

“…MPs have been increasingly demonstrated in tissues throughout the body, and direct documentation of MPs retained in human airways, in particular, has been shown repeatedly in recent years. Although smoking seems a particular risk factor for deposition of MPs in the lung ( 2 ), one recent study of never-smokers demonstrated 13 MP types, most commonly polyethylene, across 18 individuals’ BAL ( 3 ). MPs appear to penetrate beyond the airways, as others have found MPs embedded in parenchyma, as assessed by Raman spectroscopy ( 4 ).…”