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Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy

Jenner, Lauren C.; Rotchell, Jeanette M.; Bennett, Robert T.; Cowen, Michael; Tentzeris, Vasileios; Sadofsky, Laura.R.

Authors

Lauren C. Jenner

Robert T. Bennett

Michael Cowen

Vasileios Tentzeris



Abstract

Airborne microplastics (MPs) have been sampled globally, and their concentration is known to increase in areas of high human population and activity, especially indoors. Respiratory symptoms and disease following exposure to occupational levels of MPs within industry settings have also been reported. It remains to be seen whether MPs from the environment can be inhaled, deposited and accumulated within the human lungs. This study analysed digested human lung tissue samples (n = 13) using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation of 3 μm) to detect and characterise any MPs present. In total, 39 MPs were identified within 11 of the 13 lung tissue samples with an average of 1.42 ± 1.50 MP/g of tissue (expressed as 0.69 ± 0.84 MP/g after background subtraction adjustments). The MP levels within tissue samples were significantly higher than those identified within combined procedural/laboratory blanks (n = 9 MPs, with a mean ± SD of 0.53 ± 1.07, p = 0.001). Of the MPs detected, 12 polymer types were identified with polypropylene, PP (23%), polyethylene terephthalate, PET (18%) and resin (15%) the most abundant. MPs (unadjusted) were identified within all regions of the lung categorised as upper (0.80 ± 0.96 MP/g), middle/lingular (0.41 ± 0.37 MP/g), and with significantly higher levels detected in the lower (3.12 ± 1.30 MP/g) region compared with the upper (p = 0.026) and mid (p = 0.038) lung regions. After subtracting blanks, these levels became 0.23 ± 0.28, 0.33 ± 0.37 and 1.65 ± 0.88 MP/g respectively. The study demonstrates the highest level of contamination control and reports unadjusted values alongside different contamination adjustment techniques. These results support inhalation as a route of exposure for environmental MPs, and this characterisation of types and levels can now inform realistic conditions for laboratory exposure experiments, with the aim of determining health impacts.

Citation

Jenner, L. C., Rotchell, J. M., Bennett, R. T., Cowen, M., Tentzeris, V., & Sadofsky, L. (2022). Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy. The Science of the total environment, 831, Article 154907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 25, 2022
Online Publication Date Mar 29, 2022
Publication Date Jul 20, 2022
Deposit Date Mar 28, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 30, 2023
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Print ISSN 0048-9697
Electronic ISSN 1879-1026
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 831
Article Number 154907
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907
Keywords Microplastic; Lung; Inhalation; Human; Atmospheric; Airborne; Air; μFTIR
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3957870

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