An essay entitled "Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy", published on the journal Science of The Total Environment at the end of March, highlights how microplastics (plastic particles between 1 μm and 5 mm) were identified in all regions of the human lungs.
The study analysed the human lung tissue of 13 patients who had to undergo surgery: researchers detected in 11 cases microplastics and used spectroscopy to identify the type of material detected. Results showed that polypropylene (found in plastic packaging and pipes), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET; used in bottles) were the most common. Previous studies about MPs in people were carried out during autopsies and detected polyethylene, as one of the most common particles.
Microplastic pollution is widespread: as huge amounts of plastic waste are dumped in the environment, microplastics have by now contaminated the entire planet, and can be found in the most unlikely places, from marine and freshwater bodies to soil; from food to drinking water, from the deepest oceans to the top of Mount Everest. Microplastics were also found in the placentas of pregnant women and, more recently, in human blood, proving that the particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs.
According to the researchers behind the study, previous materials highlighted respiratory symptoms and disease in workers who are exposed to synthetic textile, flock, and vinyl chloride. In these cases inhalation is considered as an exposure route for MPs.
In most cases we assume that microplastic particles are consumed via food and water, but the study adds that it remains unclear whether MPs can be inhaled and enter the lungs of the general population due to environmental exposure and deposit or accumulate within the human lungs. Researchers behind this new study were actually surprised by the size of the particles found in the lungs and trapped in the lower parts of the organs.
These studies alert us to the unseen damages caused by MPs as these particles may affect the structures and processes of the human body, transforming cells and causing illnesses.
Studies and researchers about this topic continue, but it would be very interesting to launch a research linked with fashion to see if workers in garment factories and in particular in sweatshops may be inhaling MPs from synthetic textiles or if we, as consumers, may be inhaling these particle from our clothes and accessories.
Comments