BEIJING, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have found that nanoplastics, a kind of newly emerging pollutants can cause severe damage to human respiratory system.

Nanoplastics exist in the form of suspended fine particles in the atmosphere. They can enter the human body through breathing and can be easily absorbed by respiratory mucosa and lung cells because of their small size and strong biological penetration.

Recently, there are increasing reports of numerous airborne microplastics, including polystyrene being detected in atmospheric samples. Scientists from the Institute of Applied Ecology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences evaluated the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles of different sizes on human respiratory system.

Results showed that smaller-sized nanoplastics are more easily internalized into lung cells and produce significant toxic effects. The research suggests that exposure duration, diameter, and concentration are the key factors for evaluating the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on lung cells.

More attention should be focused on the risk of nanoplastic-related air pollution and the environmental toxic effects of nanoplastics on humans and other terrestrial mammals, according to the research.

The research was published in the journal Science of Total Environment. Enditem

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