Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series / observational analysis of human tissue specimens
PubMed 35364151 · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907
What was done
Thirteen human lung tissue samples (n = 13) were digested and analyzed using μFTIR spectroscopy (size detection limit of 3 μm) to detect and characterize microplastics (MPs). Procedural and laboratory blanks were evaluated alongside the samples to account for background contamination, and MP concentrations were compared across upper, middle/lingular, and lower lung regions.
What was found
A total of 39 MPs were identified in 11 of the 13 tissue samples. The overall unadjusted mean was 1.42 ± 1.50 MP/g of tissue (0.69 ± 0.84 MP/g after blank subtraction), which was significantly higher than in procedural/laboratory blanks (mean 0.53 ± 1.07, p = 0.001). Twelve polymer types were found, dominated by polypropylene (23%), polyethylene terephthalate (18%), and resin (15%). Unadjusted MP levels were 0.80 ± 0.96 MP/g in the upper, 0.41 ± 0.37 MP/g in the middle/lingular, and 3.12 ± 1.30 MP/g in the lower lung regions; lower region levels were significantly higher than upper (p = 0.026) and middle (p = 0.038) regions. After blank subtraction, regional values were 0.23 ± 0.28, 0.33 ± 0.37, and 1.65 ± 0.88 MP/g, respectively.
Why it matters
This study provides direct physical evidence that inhaled environmental microplastics can reach and accumulate within human lung parenchyma, particularly in the lower regions.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 13), limiting generalizability. The μFTIR resolution limit of 3 μm excluded smaller microplastics and nanoplastics. The abstract provides no demographic, occupational, or clinical details for the donors, and health outcomes or functional impacts were not measured.
Cited by
- partial A 2022 study analyzing lung tissue from surgical patients detected microplastics in 100% of the samples.
- supports Microplastics are capable of reaching the deep, lower regions of human lungs.