Adults are inhaling around 68,000 microplastic particles each day, researchers warn, over 100 times previous estimates.

People may be breathing in far more microplastic than previously thought, according to a new study published in PLOS One. Researchers from the University of Toulouse found that adults inhale approximately 68,000 microplastic particles per day, a figure that is more than 100 times earlier estimates.

The study focused on microplastics measuring between 1 and 10 micrometers, which can lodge deep in the lungs and pose serious health risks.

“Most studies so far have examined larger particles between 20 and 200 micrometers,” the researchers wrote. “But smaller microplastics pose greater concern for respiratory health.”

Using Raman spectroscopy, the team analysed air samples from indoor environments and car cabins. They found median concentrations of 528 particles per cubic metre in homes and 2,238 per cubic metre in vehicles. Notably, 94% of the particles were under 10 micrometers in size.

By comparing their findings with earlier data on larger particles, the scientists estimated that the majority of inhaled microplastics are small enough to evade the body’s natural defences and enter the respiratory system. The inhalation of such particles, they warned, could lead to oxidative stress, weakened immunity, and damage to organs beyond the lungs.

Nadiia Yakovenko and Jeroen Sonke, co-authors of the study, highlighted the dangers of confined spaces, stating, “During long commutes, people may inhale far greater quantities of microplastics due to air circulation limits inside vehicles.”

The authors are now urging further research into the long-term effects of microplastic inhalation and calling on policymakers to prioritise indoor air quality.

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