100 times more fine particles of microplastics than we thought!

The fine particles present in our homes and cars could be much more concentrated than we thought. Logically, according to a French study published on July 30 in the journal PLOS Onethe number of microparticles penetrating into our lungs is intended to be much more important than we thought before.

Previous research has shown that microplastics were suspended in the air, indoors and outdoors. These microparticles can enter our lungs, resulting in serious health risks (oxidative stress, effect on the immune system, lesions in the organs, etc.). The novelty of this study? Researchers at the University of Toulouse have focused on PM10s, fine particles whose diameter is equal to or less than 10 micrometers and more able to enter the lungs than large particles. They thus analyzed 16 samples from their own cars and homes.

Results ? The median concentration of microplastics amounted to 528 particles per m³ in their apartment, and 2,238 in their car. 94 % of the particles detected were of size less than 10 micrometers. Scientists were able to estimate that an adult inhaled 3,200 microplastic particles from 10 to 300 micrometers and 68,000 particles from 1 to 10 micrometers per day, for the latter, 100 times more than previous estimates.

According to the researchers, cited in a press release, these results reveal that “Indoor air is a major exhibition route and hitherto underestimated to the inhalation of particulate microplastics”. They add: “In the depths of our lungs, microplastics release toxic additives that reach our blood and cause multiple diseases.”

Different studies have previously shown that microplastics accumulate in the brain, lungs, placenta, placenta, liver, kidneys or bone marrow.