According to reports, every day on an average a person breathe in up to 130 tiny plastic particles (microplastics). Surprising majority of harmful microplastics in human bodies come from the air and not from drinking bottled water. In the wake of recent research on the negative human health effects of breathing microplastics, this article how one can reduce airborne microplastics.

 

Recent research shows that the majority of harmful microplastics in our bodies come from the air we breathe, not from drinking bottled water or eating fish from polluted oceans. Every day we breathe in up to 130 plastic particles that stays in our bodies, says research. 

As per a recent WHO report, India had 14 out of world's 20 most polluted cities in terms of PM2.5 levels in 2016. The report also highlighted that of the 3.8 million deaths caused by household air pollution globally, the Southeast Asia region accounts for 1.5 million or 40 per cent deaths, and of the 4.2 million global deaths due to ambient air pollution. With these alarming figures, there is an immediate need for greater awareness and understanding of indoor air pollution.

 

A research published by the Fernando Pessoa University in Portugal shows that every day we breathe in up to 130 tiny plastic particles. Due to their small size, microplastics once inhaled, travel into the deep lung where they may induce lesions in the respiratory system. Microplastics found in lung tissue indicate that the body is not able to rid itself of the particles - ie that the microplastics are bio-persistent.

“Microplastic particles penetrate the deep lung tissues and cannot be removed, or 'digested,' by the human immune system. The smallest particles can also pass into the bloodstream and cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, induce cancer, and affect the human immune and nervous system,” says Kevin Luo, PhD in Particle Deposition in the Human Respiratory System, and Senior Air Filtration Expert with Blueair. 

 

Luo noted that children are particularly at risk. Luo explains, “Children breathe more rapidly than adults, taking in more air in relation to their body weights. This makes them more vulnerable to microplastic pollution. Children are also more at risk as their respiratory systems are still developing - and small children often spend time playing on the floor, where microplastics settle in the form of dust.” 

 

What are microplastics?

Plastic particles sized between 5 mm and 0.1 um are defined as microplastics. They are categorised as primary and secondary microplastics with primary microplastics being plastic particles, or microbeads, produced in microscopic size for use in cosmetics, toiletries and paint. Secondary microplastics are plastic fragments from larger plastic objects. Both primary and secondary microplastics are airborne and can be inhaled and harmful to humans.

Given below are few revelations about the presence of microplastics in the environment.

 

Airborne microplastics: Concentration higher in indoor air  

Microplastics have been found in both indoor and outdoor air. However, the concentration of microplastic pollution in the indoor air is higher than outdoors according to findings presented in 2018 by researchers from École Nationales des Ponts et Chausées. Considering that we spend about 90 per cent of our time indoors, this poses a significant health risk.

 

Airborne microplastics: Synthetic clothing, toiletries, paint and toys 

Microplastics in the indoor air result from the fragmentation through friction, heat or light of plastic objects found in homes. These include paint, toys, furniture and other plastic objects as well as personal care items like cosmetics, toothpaste and scrubs. Another source of microplastics found in the air is that of plastic fibres released from synthetic clothing and textiles used in home furnishings.

Airborne microplastics may also carry other toxic pollutants found in the air, from bacteria to traffic emissions, into the bloodstream from the lungs.

 

Tips for protection

Courtesy: Blueair

Blueair is one of the world's leading producers of air purification solutions for home and professional use. With a vision to spread a movement of better breathing Blueair with its HEPASilent technology, uses a combination of mechanical and electrostatic filtration that captures 99.97 per cent of harmful particles from the air, down to 0.1 micron in size.