Researchers reveal how inhaled nanoplastics trigger lung inflammation
Everyday plastic products, including water bottles, disposable cups and packaging, can break down over time into tiny fragments known as nanoplastics. These particles are invisible to the naked eye and can become airborne, raising concerns about their potential to reach deep into the lungs when inhaled.
A recent study led by Dr. Jinyoung Jeong at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology has revealed how inhaled nanoplastics, specifically polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), trigger lung inflammation. These tiny plastic particles, which can become airborne and reach the lungs, have been largely understudied in comparison to polystyrene.
The researchers found that both PE and PP nanoplastics induced acute lung inflammation in mouse models, with their inflammatory potency depending on how the particle dose was measured. When evaluated by mass, PE nanoparticles were as potent as diesel exhaust particles, while surface area measurements showed both types of nanoplastics had a greater inflammatory potential than diesel exhaust particles.
The study also highlighted the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the inflammatory response and suggested that assessing airborne particles by mass alone may underestimate their inflammatory potential. The findings emphasize the need for more comprehensive environmental and public health assessments of nanoplastics and other airborne particulate pollutants.
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