Plastic pollution continues to interfere in our daily lives, even in the air that we breathe. Recent studies in France and internationally reveal a disturbing phenomenon: each Frenchman inhales on average more than 60,000 microplastics per day, concentrated especially in enclosed spaces such as housing, cars and offices.
These particles, from the degradation of plastic materials, can reach the airways, raising major questions about their health impact.
Microplastic in the air: an invisible and omnipresent scourge
Microplastics are plastic fragments of less than 5 millimeters, even microscopic, resulting from the progressive degradation of plastic objects (packaging, synthetic textiles, tires, etc.). Their presence in indoor air is particularly worrying, since we spend an average of 80 to 90 % of our time.
According to a French study conducted by the INERIS (National Institute of the Industrial Environment and Risks), a Frenchman inhales every day around 68,000 particles of microplastics on average, mainly within buildings and vehicles (cars, public transport). These particles float in the air in the form of fibers or fragments. Their origin is multiple:
- tires on the road,
- wear of synthetic textiles,
- degradation of plastic packaging
- or incomplete waste of waste.
What impact for respiratory health?
What happens when these microplastics enter our lungs?
Their tiny size allows them to reach the pulmonary cells, these small cavities where the gas exchange is made. Once deposited, these particles can cause several reactions, first inflammatory.
Chronic exposure could help to worsen or trigger respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or even promote certain interstitial pulmonary pathologies.
A study published in 2023 in the Environmental Health Perspective Review (international study involving French researchers) highlights the irritating potential of inhaled plastic fibers, which can cause a local inflammatory response, disturb the functioning of pulmonary cells, or even damage tissues.
In addition, these microplastics can transport chemical pollutants, heavy metals or bacteria with them, which further aggravates the health risk. These chemical “Trojan horses” increase the toxicity of inhaled particles.
Finally, the microplastic is not yet officially classified as carcinogenic, but the prolonged inhalation of fine plastic particles, in particular the fibers, is suspected of increasing the risk of brain disorders, respiratory cancers, like asbestos or certain industrial dust.
Microplastics in the air: why is the indoor air so contaminated?
What surprises is that our accommodation and vehicles are the main exhibition places. While we often imagine plastic pollution rather outdoors, in nature or in an urban environment, it is actually inside that the concentration is the strongest.
This is explained by several factors:
- The massive presence of plastic objects in our interiors (furniture, textiles, electronic equipment) which is slowly deteriorating.
- The lack of air renewal in enclosed spaces, which stagnates these particles.
- Daily activities, such as passage, friction of synthetic textiles (clothes, carpets), which constantly release fibers.
- Contamination of air particles from the outside, especially from car traffic, rich in microplastics from tire wear.
Microplastics: What to do to limit your exhibition?
Faced with this invisible pollution, what simple and effective solutions can we adopt?
- Regularly ventilate its parts, ideally several times a day, even in winter, to renew the indoor air.
- Limit the use of synthetic textiles in the house, favor cotton, wool or linen, less sources of microfibers.
- Clean regularly with vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters to reduce fine dust, including microplastics.
- Avoid smoking inside, as this worsens air pollution and the sensitivity of the lungs.
- Limit the use of the car to reduce exposure to particles related to wear and brakes wear.
- Support public initiatives and policies aimed at reducing the production and dissemination of plastics, especially in single -use packaging and products.
Pollution with microplastics, even in our daily breathing, is a reality that we are barely starting to measure the scale. The observation is clear: we inhale tens of thousands of particles every day, with a probable impact on our respiratory health. If scientific knowledge is progressing, many questions remain open, especially on long -term effects.
NAMELY
A French Inserm study in 2023 discovered microplastics … in human blood! These tiny particles that we breathe can pass the pulmonary barriers and circulate in our organism. Their impact could therefore well exceed our lungs.
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