Daily Inhalation of Microplastics Far Higher Than Thought, Study Finds

Adults may unknowingly inhale around 68,000 microscopic plastic particles each day—far surpassing earlier estimates—according to researchers at Université de Toulouse. The team measured airborne microplastics smaller than 10 micrometers, small enough to deeply penetrate the lungs.

Car interiors had the highest concentrations, averaging 2,238 particles per cubic meter, compared to 528 in apartments. This suggests exposure levels could be nearly 100 times greater than previously believed.

These tiny particles, shed from items like synthetic clothing, crumbling car components, and household flooring, can bypass nasal defenses and embed in lung tissue. Once inside, they may trigger inflammation and carry toxic chemicals into the bloodstream.

Despite links to asthma, heart problems, and immune disruption, air monitoring rarely tracks such small fragments. As global plastic production exceeds 460 million tons annually and continues rising, experts warn that indoor microplastic exposure could become a growing public health concern.

01-08-2025