How microplastics can devastate your body: ‘It’s a bit eye-opening’

Well, this blows.

Microplastics — pesky particles that have contaminated our air, water, linked to a higher risk of inflammation, hormone disruption, DNA damage, respiratory illnesses and heart problems, among other health issues.

A new study suggests that inhaling microplastics can suppress a type of white blood cell in the lungs that’s essential to the immune system, raising the risk of cancer and other diseases.

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“For me, it’s a bit eye-opening that although microplastics aren’t the most dangerous agent we may encounter, they are far from benign,” said first study author Adam Soloff, an associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.

Microplastics are smaller than a pencil eraser. They slough off polyester clothing, car tires and plastic bottles and bags. Some are intentionally manufactured for personal care products, like microbeads found in exfoliating scrubs, facial cleansers and toothpastes.

For the new study, Soloff’s team had mice inhale microplastics to measure the effects on their body.

The minute plastic fragments were detected in their liver, spleen and colon. Trace amounts were found in their brain and kidneys for up to a week after they breathed them in.

“Respiratory microplastics disseminate systemically after passing through the lung,” Soloff explained. “Overall, these may have detrimental effects on any and all organ systems and contribute to a number of diseases.”

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The researchers also cultured macrophages with different sizes of polystyrene microplastics. Styrofoam packaging, disposable coffee cups and foam are made from polystyrene.

Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the lungs. They are vital in removing damaged cells and debris, resolving inflammation and promoting tissue repair.

Within 24 hours, the macrophages labored to engulf and digest bacteria, a critical cell process known as phagocytosis.

“When we first started to discuss these microplastic exposures, I was sure that the macrophages would just eat (phagocytose) and digest them (lysosomally process), and that would be the end of it,” Soloff said.

“I was really surprised to see that not only did the macrophages struggle to break down the plastics in vitro, but macrophages in the lung retained these particles over time as well.”

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The good news is that researchers found that Acadesine, a drug primarily used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, restored some macrophage function.

The results were presented Monday at the American Thoracic Society conference in San Francisco.

Soloff’s team plans to examine microplastic exposure in lung tissues to develop an early warning system for lung disease and lung cancer risk.