Every breath you take: the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on lung health

Tiny invisible plastic particles are everywhere, what happens when they enter our lungs?

Nylon clothing, polyvinylchloride (PVC) flooring, car tires—all sources of invisible particles that may harm your respiratory system. Plastic is everywhere around us. When we use plastic products, they break down into tiny particles called micro- and nanoplastics. These particles end up in our environment, including the air, and find their way into our bodies. Indeed, researchers detected microplastics in human lung tissue. However, the extent of potential toxic effects of micro -and nanoplastics in lung cells and underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be identified.

Irene her latest research publication reveals that nanoplastics—especially nylon nanoplastics—trigger alarming biological responses in human lung cells. 

How was the study performed?

Micro- and nanoplastics can vary widely in size, chemical composition and shape. Still, most research so far has been performed with spherical plastic beads, not that representative for the particles present in the environment. To uncover the effects, Gosselink exposed human bronchial cells (the cells lining our airways) to various types of plastic particles, including those from polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyamide (PA or nylon). These particles ranged from less than a micrometer to 10 micrometers in size and had an irregular shape, mimicking real-world pollution.

What were the results?

The results were eye-opening. Nanoplastics, especially nylon, were more toxic to submerged bronchial epithelial cells than microplastics. Nylon nanoplastics not only killed cells but also triggered a strong inflammatory response, signalling the body’s alarm system was going off. This inflammation was linked to the activation of a key molecular switch called NF-κB, known for driving immune reactions. Interestingly, these nylon particles didn’t increase harmful reactive oxygen species but did prompt the cells to boost their antioxidant defenses.

What does this mean for us?

This research is one of the first studies examining a wide range of environmentally relevant micro -and nanoplastics. The toxicity of micro -and nanoplastics towards lung cells depends on their type, size, and amount. Nanoplastics, especially from nylon, pose a greater threat to our lung cells than larger microplastics. As plastic pollution continues to grow, understanding these hidden risks is vital for protecting our respiratory health. 

To the publication

About the researchers
Irene Gosselink’s PhD research is supervised by dr. Alexander Remels and conducted in collaboration with TNO (The Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research) and falls within the Momentum consortium, funded by ZonMw and Health~Holland.  

The MOMENTUM project is a collaboration involving over 25 partners—including universities, research institutes, policymakers, and industry. The project aims to measure, understand, and find solutions for the health risks posed by micro- and nanoplastics.

Text: Danielle Vogt
Photo: Joey Roberts