Plastic particles first found deep in human lungs

The authors of the work from the University of Hull found microplastics in lung tissue during surgical procedures in

living patients. The analysis revealed plastics in 11 of the 13 samples examined. The plastic came in 12 different types, including those commonly used in packaging, bottles and clothing.

The male samples contained more microplastics than the female samples. But what really surprised the scientists was the placement of the plastic. More than half of its volume was in the lower part of the lung.

We did not expect to find such a large numbermicroplastics in the lower parts of the lungs. This is surprising because the airways in the lower parts of the lungs are smaller, and we expected that particles of this size could be filtered out before they got so deep into the lungs.

Laura Sadofsky, lead author of the study

Scientists believe that those in the airplastic particles ranging in size from 1 nanometer to 20 micrometers are breathable. New research confirms that these microplastics easily enter the human body.

Previous laboratory experiments have shown thatmicroplastics can destroy clusters and change the shape of human lung cells, as well as have a toxic effect on cells in general. But the new study will help provide a deeper analysis of the health effects.

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