Researchers from the University of New South Wales in Australia examined how microplastics move inside the human body when particles are inhaled. The work was published in the peer‑reviewed journal Physics of Fluids (POF).
Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic, typically under five millimeters in length. They have become a ubiquitous presence, found across the globe—from the deepest oceans to the coldest polar regions—touched by human activity in nearly every ecosystem.
Earlier estimates suggest that an average person might inhale about 16 pieces of microplastic every hour, a figure that underscores how common these particles are in everyday air.
In the recent study, scientists developed a computer model to predict where ingested plastics are most likely to accumulate in the body. The model indicates that the largest polymer particles tend to lodge in the upper airway, including the nasal passages and the back of the throat, before moving deeper into the respiratory tract.
While the full health impact of microplastics remains to be fully understood, evidence from laboratory studies shows potential for cellular damage, intestinal inflammation, and declined fertility in animal models, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation and further research for humans.
Microplastics have the capacity to act as carriers for a range of other substances, including viruses, bacteria, and chemical contaminants, which can adhere to their surfaces as they travel through the air or water inside the body.
Emerging findings emphasize that microplastics can influence multiple biological pathways, with accumulating data suggesting possible effects on immune responses and tissue integrity. This area of study is rapidly evolving, and scientists stress the importance of continued investigation to determine real-world health implications and exposure risks across different populations.