Verified on 04/11/2022 by Florine Dergelet, Editor
A recent study revealed the presence of microplastics in human blood. This time, it is in the lungs of living people that researchers have identified the presence of microplastics.
Researchers identify, for the first time, microplastics in the lungs of living people
In a new study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, researchers from the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School reveal that they have identified the presence of microplastics in human lungs. This is the first time that scientists have made such a discovery in patients who are still alive, as Laura Sadofsky, lead author of the study, explains: “ Microplastics have already been found in autopsy samples from human cadavers – this is the first robust study to show microplastics in the lungs of living people ».
No less than 39 microplastics identified in the lungs
To reach their conclusion, the researchers analyzed, in collaboration with surgeons from Castle Hill Hospital (Yorkshire), the lung tissue of patients who were to undergo medical intervention. In total, the researchers discovered no less than 39 different microplastics in 11 of the 13 samples analyzed. Among the plastic particles identified, polyprene (used in packaging, food containers or for plastic pipes) and PET (present in particular in plastic bottles) were the most frequent. It should be noted that men had a greater quantity of plastic particles in their lungs than women.
Plastic particles found in lower parts of lungs
Unexpected finding of the study: the plastic particles were found in the lower parts of the lungs. ” We did not expect to find the greatest number of particles in the lower regions of the lungs, or particles the size [la taille des particules atteignait 0,003 millimètre] that we found. This is surprising as the airways are smaller in the lower parts of the lungs and we would have expected particles of these sizes to be filtered or trapped before reaching this depth. » explains Laura Sadofsky.