The pervasive nature of plastic pollution has reached a new height with the discovery of miniscule plastic fragments invading the human body without our knowledge. The average person unknowingly inhales a significant amount of plastic every week, with unknown health effects looming over our future. In 2022, scientists made a groundbreaking finding by uncovering microplastics in the deepest parts of the human lung – shedding light on a hidden danger that has gone unnoticed for too long.
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have embarked on a journey to track the journey of plastic particles as they navigate through the respiratory system. Their comprehensive model takes into account the flow of air and particles through the entire respiratory tract, from the nasal cavity down to the 13th generation of the bronchial tree. By examining various breathing rates and sizes of plastic fragments, the researchers aim to understand the complex interplay between gravity dragging plastics onto surfaces and the wind blowing them along passageways.
The study reveals alarming findings about the deposition patterns of microplastics in the upper airways at different breathing rates. Larger microplastics tend to accumulate rapidly in the upper airways, while smaller nanoplastics have a higher chance of penetrating deeper into the lung. This infiltration into the alveolar sacs, where gas exchange occurs, raises concerns about the potential damage to lung tissue and overall respiratory function. The smaller the plastic fragment, the greater the risk of adverse health outcomes, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic dysfunction in the respiratory tract.
While degraded plastic products contribute to this invisible invasion, everyday items like cosmetic products play a significant role in the emission of microplastic particles. Toothpaste, in particular, contains these tiny fragments that pose a threat when inhaled. Reports indicate that in India alone, toothpaste emits billions of grams of microplastic particles annually, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue. Experimental evidence suggests that these tiny plastics have the potential to trigger severe health complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and even death in individuals exposed to higher levels of plastic particles.
As plastic particle air pollution continues to pervade the environment, inhalation emerges as the second most likely pathway for human exposure to these harmful substances. The urgent need for toxicologists to delve deeper into the impact of microplastics on human health cannot be understated. With associations between cardiac health and plastic pollutants coming to light, further research is imperative to fully understand the extent of the damage caused by these ubiquitous particles. For the well-being of humanity, it is crucial that we unravel the mystery of where these invisible invaders go inside our bodies and what havoc they wreak on our health.