| When sunlight filters through the window, most of us presume that the tiny particles dancing in the air are dust. Turns out many are probably fragments of polyethylene and other microplastics.
The polluting debris floats around indoors in far higher concentrations than previously thought, researchers in France said in a paper published this week. We could be inhaling 68,000 microplastic fragments a day just in our homes and cars, according to Nadiia Yakovenko, who co-led the study, and her colleagues at the University of Toulouse.
Even more importantly for human health, the scientists found that the vast majority of particles were smaller than 10 micrometers — about a seventh to a 10th of the thickness of a strand of hair. “The smaller the particles are, the further it’s going to penetrate into human tissue,” Yakovenko said in an interview. Because they can go deep into our bodies, the pollutants may contribute to damaging the lungs and the digestive system, triggering inflammation and many associated diseases, she added.
“These particles are completely invisible to the naked eye,” the authors wrote. “We inhale thousands of them every day without even realizing it. Deep inside our lungs, microplastics release toxic additives that reach our blood and cause multiple diseases.” The scientists used their own cars and homes as testing grounds. In three apartments in Toulouse, they collected samples from bedrooms, home offices and living rooms, placing the filter holders lower in the bedrooms to reflect inhalation during sleep. The two cars, one new and one old, had polyester fabric seats and were tested while being driven. The results showed there were more microplastics in cars than apartments, but not significantly so.
The scientists called for more research on the topic, saying their findings hint at far more potential public health damage than previously estimated, describing the situation as “particularly worrisome.”
Yakovenko acknowledged that all of us are exposed and there isn’t much we can do, except perhaps to cut back on our plastic use. In cars, that could mean a return to old-fashioned leather seats. On my desk, I’m definitely getting that new lunchbox. — Harry Black |
