Identification and physical-chemical characterization of environmental microplastics in the atmosphere and in human lung tissues

• Grant number: 19/03397-5
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal researcher: Thais Mauad
• Grantee: Luís Fernando Amato Lourenço
• Home Institution: Instituto de Estudos Avançados (IEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/21728-2 - The use of modern autopsy techniques to investigate human diseases (MODAU), AP.TEM

Abstract

Plastic products are widely used in society and their degradation (referred to as microplastics because of their small size) are an increasing cause for societal and scientific concern due to the potential adverse effects on the environment and on human health. Many studies have investigated distribution in water, and the uptake and potential effects of microplastics on a range of organisms. However, environmental microplastics are also present in the air and are inhaled by humans, which may cause adverse effects on the respiratory system. To date, however, there is limited information on the distribution, shape and size of microplastics in environmental air samples. In addition, the potential for uptake by lung tissue, and subsequent adverse effects are largely unknown. In this project we will use state-of-the-science techniques to determine the physical-chemical characteristics of microplastics in outdoor and indoor air samples, as well as their presence in human pulmonary tissues. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) will be used to identify and characterise the microplastics. Understanding exposure characteristics, such as concentrations, sizes, morphology, presence of additives and distributions of different polymers are prerequisites to estimate the potential effects associated with human health.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

AMATO-LOURENCO, LUIS FERNANDO; CARVALHO-OLIVEIRA, REGIANI; RIBEIRO JUNIOR, GABRIEL; GALVAO, LUCIANA DOS SANTOS; ANDO, ROMULO AUGUSTO; MAUAD, THAIS. Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, v. 416, AUG 15 2021. Web of Science Citations: 3.

AMATO-LOURENCO, LUIS FERNANDO; GALVAO, LUCIANA DOS SANTOS; DE WEGER, LETTY A.; HIEMSTRA, PIETER S.; VIJVER, MARTINA G.; MAUAD, THAIS. An emerging class of air pollutants: Potential effects of microplastics to respiratory human health?. Science of The Total Environment, v. 749, DEC 20 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.