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⚕️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, diet, or supplement use, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take medications. The information presented here should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
You’ve likely heard about microplastics in the ocean, in our food, or in our bodies, but what about the air you breathe? Unfortunately, many scientific studies have shown that there are microplastics in the air. They’ve been found in indoor and outdoor air, in big cities and small cities, in urban areas and rural mountaintops. This article will provide a high-level overview of airborne microplastics, how they get there, and their potential health effects.
Airborne microplastics have been detected in urban centers, rural towns, remote mountain ranges, and even in marine air samples. These microplastic particles are incredibly small, lightweight, and durable. Once they make it into the air, they can be suspended in air currents for long periods and carried across great distances by wind [1–3].
Most of these microplastic particles are small fragments and fibers from larger plastic objects or synthetic textiles, like polyester clothing. While microplastic fibers are easier to detect due to their size, microplastic fragments, often generated through the breakdown of larger plastics, are more abundant. Atmospheric sampling by scientists has confirmed the widespread presence of microplastics in the air using a variety of analytical techniques [4].
What’s especially alarming is that these particles are not evenly distributed. Their concentrations can vary significantly depending on local elevation, geography, urban topography, and climate conditions. Thermal cycling, wind patterns, and population density all influence how microplastics move through and settle in the air [5].
While outdoor pollution often gets the spotlight, indoor environments appear to have higher concentrations of microplastics. For example, a study in Wenzhou, China found that indoor air had a greater density of smaller microplastic fragments than outdoor air. The scientists hypothesized that these likely came from synthetic fabrics, upholstery, and plastic furnishings [4].
Common sources of airborne microplastics include clothing, curtains, carpets, plastic containers, and household appliances. Even air conditioning systems can become both sources and collectors of microplastic fibers, depending on filter condition and how often it’s used [9].
Scientists have also found that the concentration of indoor, airborne microplastics may be correlated with how often the space is used. The more space is used, the more that plastic items, such as clothing, utensils, and furniture may release microplastics. This means that busy households, offices, and classrooms could all be hotspots for airborne microplastic exposure [9].
Once inhaled, microplastics can become trapped in our lungs. Studies show that microplastics can accumulate in lung tissue and can persist in lung fluid for extended periods [5–7]. The presence of microplastics in the lungs has been associated with inflammation, immune response activation, and symptoms similar to pneumoconiosis and asthma [6].
It’s been shown that microplastics can carry other hazardous substances. This is known as the “Trojan Horse” effect. As airborne microplastics pass through your respiratory system, they may release or transport toxins and heavy metals, compounding their impact on the lungs [5].
Over time, chronic exposure could potentially contribute to long-term respiratory damage. This includes fibrosis or structural lung changes. These risks are especially concerning for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, or those with preexisting respiratory conditions [6–8].
Microplastics in the air can come from a multitude of sources. For example, textile fabrics, like synthetic clothing (polyester), carpets, curtains, and furniture. Next time you’re in your closet, take a look at how many of your clothes are plastic-based. Most of the affordable furniture, bedding, and other fabrics sold online and in common retail stores are made of plastic-based textiles, and studies have found that these contribute to microplastics in the air [2,4,8–14].
Other common sources of indoor microplastics in the air include plastic packaging and waste, household dust, atmospheric deposition from city pollution and industrial activities, and air conditioner filters, which can trap and redistribute microplastic particles [4,5,9].
In summary, because many of our household items are made of plastic, human activity is a major driver of microplastics in the air. Doing laundry, vacuuming, and cooking can all create and redistribute microplastic fibers in the air and increase the possibility of inhalation [9].
It can be overwhelming thinking of all the sources of airborne microplastics, their impact on your health, and what you can do to reduce your exposure and contribution. However, you can take many simple, small steps that, over time, can help lower your own intake and creation of microplastics. This is why we developed the Deplasto platform.
Our platform, consisting of an all-natural supplement, a microplastic intake app for tracking and measuring exposure, and lifestyle recommendations is intended to help you avoid microplastics. Our supplement is formulated to support your body’s natural detoxification defenses, including oxidative stress management, cellular repair, and antioxidant support. Our microplastic intake calculator is designed to show you an estimate of your daily exposure based on the foods and drinks that you love, with every datapoint backed by scientific studies, to help you understand how you can best avoid microplastics. Lastly, given that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid microplastic exposure, we have a plethora of lifestyle recommendations designed to help you make small changes for big impacts.
Overall, we believe that the best way to eliminate microplastics begins with you and the changes you make to your daily life. Over time, collectively, we can make a significant difference.
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