According to the World Health Organization, 92% of the world’s population breathe polluted air and nearly 7 million deaths can be attributed to air pollution each year. Sources of pollution take the form of emissions from factories, cars, planes and aerosol cans. Secondhand cigarette smoke pollutes indoor air, as do volatile organic compounds emitted from many household items such as carpeting, furniture and chemical cleaners.
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While you’re breathing all of this in, there’s something else you’re inhaling that you should be aware of: tiny bits of plastic. To be more specific, it’s likely that you’re inhaling 11 tiny bits of plastic per hour, according to a new study that suggests your lungs are under siege — even in your own home.
Researcher Alvise Vianello studies microplastic pollution at Aalborg University in Denmark. He has been analyzing foreign materials found in soil, drinking water, oceans, wastewater and the air. His latest research suggests that when you spend time indoors, you are likely filling up your lungs with tiny plastic partials shed by all of the plastic in your home. It’s the first review of its kind to measure human exposure to microplastic through breathing indoor air.
Studies show microplastics are present in many environments, including bottled water, household dust and many foods — especially seafood and sea salt, but also any food that has been stored in plastic packaging.
Microplastics are known to damage lung tissues, which can potentially lead to cancer, asthma and other serious health problems. Plastic partials also often contain toxic chemical additives that disrupt hormones. Research has shown that people working with plastic-based dusts and textiles have an increased risk of respiratory problems.
In a 2018 study, researchers tested stool samples and found that on average, participants had 20 microplastic particles per 10 grams of stool. When stool samples were tested for 10 different types of plastic, nine were found in the samples. The study suggests that you are swallowing microplastics when you eat and drink.
While you may not be able to live a zero-waste lifestyle, you can indeed take small but definitive steps toward the goal of reducing plastic trash.