Time to put on a mask again

No, not for that illusive virus. We seem to be breathing in microplastics from the air which are accumulating in our bodies and causing illness. What next?!!?

"According to a study using human biomonitoring, there was proof of plastic in the lung tissue, indicating that microplastics from the air can deposit and build up in the lungs [56]. Moreover, extended exposure to microplastics can result in respiratory illnesses such as asthma and pneumoconiosis [57,58].Jan 11, 2024"

Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways - NCBI

Wouldn't dream of using those things. Improving our bodies elimination (purging systems) is key to detoxification pathways.

Here's more intel on some of the sources and potential effects.

Toxicol Res (Camb). 2024 Sep 2;13(5):tfae138. doi: 10.1093/toxres/tfae138. eCollection 2024 Oct.
Sterile inflammation induced by respirable micro and nano polystyrene particles in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases
Laganà Antonio 1 2, Giuseppa Visalli 1, Alessio Facciolà 1, Caterina Saija 1, Maria Paola Bertuccio 1, Barbara Baluce 3, Consuelo Celesti 4, Daniela Iannazzo 4, Angela Di Pietro 1

Sterile inflammation is involved in the lung pathogenesis induced by respirable particles, including micro- and nanoplastics. Their increasing amounts in the ambient and in indoor air pose a risk to human health. In two human cell lines (A549 and THP-1) we assessed the proinflammatory behavior of polystyrene nanoplastics (nPS) and microplastics (mPS) (Ø 0.1 and 1 μm). Reproducing environmental aging, in addition to virgin, the cells were exposed to oxidized nPS/mPS. To study the response of the monocytes to the inflammatory signal transmitted by the A549 through the release of soluble factors (e.g. alarmins and cytokines), THP-1 cells were also exposed to the supernatants of previously nPS/mPS-treated A549. After dynamic-light-scattering (DLS) analysis and protein measurements for the assessment of protein corona in nPS/mPS, real-time PCR and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent (ELISA) assays were performed in exposed cells. The pro-inflammatory effects of v- and ox-nPS/mPS were attested by the imbalance of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in A549, which was able to trigger the inflammatory cascade, inhibiting the immunologically silent apoptosis. The involvement of NFkB was confirmed by the overexpression of p65 after exposure to ox-nPS and v- and ox-mPS. The fast and higher levels of IL-1β, only in THP-1 cells, underlined the NLPR3 inflammasome activation.

Keywords: Alveolar cells; Cytokines; Microplastics; Monocytic cells; Nanoplastics; Sterile inflammation.

Polystyrene nanoplastics are commonly found in various everyday products and environments due to the breakdown of larger polystyrene items.

Here are some common sources:

1. Packaging Materials: Polystyrene is widely used in packaging, including foam packaging, plastic cutlery, and food containers.
2. Consumer Products: Items such as coffee cup lids, plastic cutlery, and disposable plates often contain polystyrene
3. Household Items: Products like insulation materials, toys, and certain types of furniture can release polystyrene nanoplastics over time.
4. Environmental Degradation: Polystyrene products exposed to environmental factors like UV radiation and mechanical wear can break down into nanoplastics.
5. Industrial Processes: Manufacturing and waste management processes can also contribute to the release of polystyrene nanoplastics into the environment.