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Microplastics have been detected in all environmental compartments including the atmosphere, although so far few studies have investigated them in the human respiratory tract. This paper includes all the results from the analysis of plastic microfibers in the lower airway of 44 adult patients with different respiratory pathologies using to this end the fluid obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage as a minimally invasive method. We studied the relationship between patient life habits and physiological and medical parameters and the plastic microfiber concentrations isolated in the respiratory tract. The result showed an average plastic microfiber concentration of 9.18 ± 2.45 MF/100 ml BAL, with an average size of 1.73 ± 0.15 mm and a maximum size of 9.96 mm, corresponding to a polyacrylic fiber. There appeared statistically significant differences with patient gender, age, smoking habit, occupation type and X-ray diagnosis. More studies are needed to determine the negative effects these micropollutants may have on the human respiratory system and its associated diseases., Se han detectado microplásticos en todos los compartimentos ambientales, incluida la atmósfera, aunque, de momento, pocos estudios los han investigado en el tracto respiratorio humano. En este artículo recogemos los resultados del análisis de microfibras plásticas en la vía aérea inferior de 44 pacientes adultos con distintas patologías respiratorias, empleando para ello el fluido obtenido del lavado broncoalveolar como método mínimamente invasivo. Se ha estudiado la relación entre hábitos de vida y parámetros fisiológicos y médicos de los pacientes y sus concentraciones en microfibras plásticas aisladas del tracto respiratorio Los resultados mostraron una concentración media de microfibras plásticas de 9,18 ± 2,45 MF/100 ml BAL, con un tamaño medio de 1,73 ± 0,15 mm y una dimensión máxima de 9,96 mm, correspondiente a una fibra poliacrílica. Aparecieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con el sexo, la edad, el hábito tabáquico, el tipo de ocupación y el diagnóstico por rayos X del paciente, entre otras. Se hacen necesarios más estudios para dilucidar los efectos negativos que estos microcontaminantes pueden tener sobre el sistema respiratorio humano y sus enfermedades asociadas., Têm sido detetados microplásticos em todas as matrizes ambientais, incluindo a atmosfera, embora, até o momento, poucos estudos os tenham investigado no trato respiratório humano. Neste artigo, apresentamos os resultados da análise de microfibras plásticas na via aérea inferior de 44 pacientes adultos com diferentes patologias respiratórias, utilizando o fluido obtido da lavagem broncoalveolar como método minimamente invasivo. Estudou-se a relação entre hábitos de vida, parâmetros fisiológicos e clínicos dos pacientes e as concentrações de microfibras plásticas isoladas do trato respiratório. Os resultados mostraram uma concentração média de microfibras plásticas de 9,18 ± 2,45 MF/100 ml LBA, com um tamanho médio de 1,73 ± 0,15 mm e uma dimensão máxima de 9,96 mm, correspondente a uma fibra poliacrílica. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas em relação ao sexo, idade, hábito tabágico, tipo de ocupação e diagnóstico por raio-X do paciente, entre outros. São necessários mais estudos para elucidar os efeitos negativos que estes microcontaminantes podem ter sobre o sistema respiratório humano e as doenças associadas.

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in all environmental locations, including the atmosphere. However, few studies have investigated the presence of airborne MPs in the human respiratory system. Our research purpose was to investigate these pollutants in the lower human airways of 44 adult European citizens, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection as a minimally invasive method, that enables the detection of these pollutants in living patients. We studied the relationship between the patients’ life habits and physiological parameters, based on background information and medical and occupational history, and the concentration of MPs isolated from their respiratory systems. Our results indicate that most MPs were in the form of microfibers (MFs) (97.06%), with an average concentration of 9.18 ± 2.45 items/100 mL BALF, and only 5.88% (0.57 ± 0.27 items/100 mL BALF) were particulate MPs, without a significant relationship with environmental, physiological, or clinical factors. The average size was 1.73 ± 0.15 mm, with the longest dimension (9.96 mm) corresponding to a polyacrylic fiber. Taken together, the results demonstrated the occurrence of MPs in the lower human airway, although more studies are necessary to elucidate the negative effects these pollutants could induce in the human respiratory system and its associated diseases.

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in all environmental locations, including the atmosphere. However, few studies have investigated the presence of airborne MPs in the human respiratory system. Our research purpose was to investigate these pollutants in the lower human airways of 44 adult European citizens, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection as a minimally invasive method, that enables the detection of these pollutants in living patients. We studied the relationship between the patients’ life habits and physiological parameters, based on background information and medical and occupational history, and the concentration of MPs isolated from their respiratory systems. Our results indicate that most MPs were in the form of microfibers (MFs) (97.06%), with an average concentration of 9.18 ± 2.45 items/100 mL BALF, and only 5.88% (0.57 ± 0.27 items/100 mL BALF) were particulate MPs, without a significant relationship with environmental, physiological, or clinical factors. The average size was 1.73 ± 0.15 mm, with the longest dimension (9.96 mm) corresponding to a polyacrylic fiber. Taken together, the results demonstrated the occurrence of MPs in the lower human airway, although more studies are necessary to elucidate the negative effects these pollutants could induce in the human respiratory system and its associated diseases.