An alarming new study has uncovered that people may be inhaling tens of thousands more microplastic particles each day than previously estimated—particularly within indoor spaces like homes and car interiors.
Emerging research conducted by scientists at the Université de Toulouse shines a light on the hidden and potentially hazardous presence of microscopic plastics in the very air we breathe.
By analysing real-life air samples using advanced detection methods, the study reveals that the majority of airborne microplastics are so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs, raising fresh concerns about long-term health impacts and exposing indoor air as a far more significant exposure source than once believed.
The authors of the study emphasised the perils of microplastics: “Everywhere we look, we find microplastics, even in the air we breathe inside our homes and cars. The biggest concern is how small these particles are completely invisible to the naked eye.
“We inhale thousands of them every day without even realising it. Deep inside our lungs, microplastics release toxic additives that reach our blood and cause multiple diseases.”
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments typically less than 5 millimetres in length. They originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are manufactured as small particles, such as microbeads found in cosmetics.
These particles can now be found virtually everywhere, from oceans and soil to the air we breathe.
Particularly concerning are fine microplastics, which are small enough (under 10 micrometres in diameter) to bypass the body’s natural defences and reach deep into the lungs, potentially leading to chronic respiratory and systemic health issues.
Indoor air: A hidden reservoir of microplastics
While microplastics have been found in a variety of environments worldwide, this latest study is one of the first to directly measure airborne microplastic concentrations in real-world indoor conditions – specifically in personal living spaces and car cabins.
Using advanced Raman spectroscopy, the research team analysed 16 air samples and discovered surprisingly high levels of fine microplastic particles.
The results were striking: indoor air in apartments contained a median concentration of 528 particles per cubic metre, while air inside cars during typical driving conditions reached 2,238 particles per cubic metre.
Notably, 94% of these airborne microplastics measured less than 10 micrometres – small enough to reach the deepest parts of the lungs.
Despite the car samples showing higher concentrations, the variability between environments was significant enough that the differences were not statistically conclusive.
Still, both settings exhibited exposure levels previously underestimated by researchers.
Inhalation exposure may be 100 times higher than thought
By integrating their findings with previously published data, the researchers estimate that adults could be inhaling up to 68,000 fine microplastic particles per day – specifically in the 1 to 10 micrometre range.
This figure is a staggering 100 times higher than earlier estimates focused primarily on larger particles, which are less likely to penetrate the lower respiratory system.
This suggests that past assessments of health risks related to airborne microplastic exposure may have significantly undervalued the threat posed by smaller particles.
Unlike larger fragments that tend to get trapped in the upper airways, fine microplastic particles may bypass these natural filters, potentially causing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and even organ-level damage.
A call for urgent research and regulation
These findings mark the first time microplastic levels in car cabins have been systematically studied, identifying another overlooked but common environment where humans may face substantial exposure.
With people spending a significant portion of their lives indoors or in vehicles, the implications for public health are broad and pressing.
Experts stress the need for further research to understand better how long-term inhalation of microplastic particles impacts the body. Regulatory agencies may also need to reconsider current air quality standards to account for these newly quantified pollutants.
As awareness grows about the ubiquity and dangers of microplastics, these insights underline the urgent need for both scientific investigation and policy action to mitigate exposure in everyday environments.
