Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue

Author(s)

Amato-Lourenco, Luis Fernando ^{[1, 2]} ; Carvalho-Oliveira, Regiani ^[1] ; Ribeiro Junior, Gabriel ^[1] ; Galvao, Luciana dos Santos ^[3] ; Ando, Romulo Augusto ^[4] ; Mauad, Thais ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Pathol, Ave Dr Arnaldo 455, Room 1150, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Adv Studies IEA, Global Cities Program, Rua, Praca Relogio 199, Cidade Univ, BR-05508050 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Technol Res IPT, Chem Analyses Lab, Ave Prof Almeida Prado 532, BR-05508901 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo IQUSP, Inst Chem, Dept Fundamental Chem, Ave Prof Lineu Prestes 748, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; v. 416, AUG 15 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Plastics are ubiquitously used by societies, but most of the plastic waste is deposited in landfills and in the natural environment. Their degradation into submillimetre fragments, called microplastics, is a growing concern due to potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. Microplastics are present in the air and may be inhaled by humans, but whether they have deleterious effects on the respiratory system remain unknown. In this study, we determined the presence of microplastics in human lung tissues obtained at autopsies. Polymeric particles (n = 33) and fibres (n = 4) were observed in 13 of 20 tissue samples. All polymeric particles were smaller than 5.5 mu m in size, and fibres ranged from 8.12 to 16.8 mu m. The most frequently determined polymers were polyethylene and polypropylene. Deleterious health outcomes may be related to the heterogeneous characteristics of these contaminants in the respiratory system following inhalation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/03397-5 - Identification and physical-chemical characterization of environmental microplastics in the atmosphere and in human lung tissues
• Grantee: Luís Fernando Amato Lourenço
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate