RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Microplastics inhalation: evidence in human lung tissue
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA1792
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA1792
VO 58
IS suppl 65
A1 Amato-Lourenco, Luis Fernando
A1 Carvalho Oliveira, Regiani
A1 Ribeiro Junior, Gabriel
A1 Dos Santos Galvao, Luciana
A1 Ando, Romulo Augusto
A1 Mauad, Thais
YR 2021
UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/58/suppl_65/PA1792.abstract
AB Plastics are widely used by society and their degradation into millimetre fragments, called microplastics, is a growing cause of concern due to the potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. Microplastics are also present in the air and are inhaled by humans, which may cause deleterious effects on the respiratory system. There is no information whether inhaled microplastics would be incorporated in lung tissue. In this study, we determined the presence of microplastics in human lung tissues. The samples were collected in peripheral and central regions of the lung from 10 cases of non-smoking individuals who have lived in the city of São Paulo for the past five years. As an additional measure of lung tissue control, samples were collected from two stillborn. Procedural blanks were used during all sample handling and analysis procedures. All microplastic particles were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. Raman microspectroscopy was used for the chemical characterization of possible polymeric materials. Polymeric particles (n = 7) and fibres (n = 2) have been observed in five of the ten cases. Polymeric particles (n = 7) and fibres (n = 2) have been observed in five of the ten cases. All polymeric particles were smaller than 10 µm in size and the polymers determined were polyethylene and polypropylene, no fibres were seen. Deleterious health outcomes may be related to the heterogeneous characteristics, sources, and fates of these contaminants in the respiratory system following inhalation.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA1792.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).