Microplastics have been discovered in live human lungs for the first time, a study has confirmed.

Researchers from the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School also found microplastics in the deepest section of the lung, which was previously thought to be impossible due to how narrow the airways are.

Microplastics have previously been found in human cadaver autopsy samples, but this is the first study to show them in the lungs of live people.

The research team says the findings show that inhaling microplastics is a route of exposure and will now help direct future studies on the impact microplastics could have on respiratory health.

This study, which has been published in Science of the Total Environment, found 39 microplastics in 11 of the 13 lung tissue samples tested – considerably higher than any previous laboratory tests.

The Argus: The majority of lung tissue samples came back showing microplastics (PA)The majority of lung tissue samples came back showing microplastics (PA) (Image: PA)

Laura Sadofsky, the lead author of the paper, said: “Microplastics have previously been found in human cadaver autopsy samples; this is the first robust study to show microplastics in lungs from live people.

“It also shows that they are in the lower parts of the lung. Lung airways are very narrow so no-one thought they could possibly get there, but they clearly have.

“This data provides an important advance in the field of air pollution, microplastics and human health.

“The characterisation of types and levels of microplastics we have found can now inform realistic conditions for laboratory exposure experiments with the aim of determining health impacts.”

What microplastics are people inhaling?

Surgeons at Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire supplied the live lung tissue, which was collected from surgical procedures carried out on patients who were still alive, as part of their routine medical care. It was then filtered to see what was present.

Of the microplastics detected, there were 12 types, which are commonly found in packaging, bottles, clothing, rope/twine, and many manufacturing processes.

There were also considerably higher levels of microplastics in male patients compared with females.

The study showed 11 microplastics were found in the upper part of the lung, seven in the mid part, and 21 in the lower part of the lung – which was an unexpected finding.