Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks has been a worldwide primary protection measure to contain the spread of the virus. However, very little information is known about the possible inhalation of microplastics (MP) from wearing masks. This pilot study evaluates the presence of MP accu...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Environment International |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023004026 |
| _version_ | 1797742631128662016 |
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| author | A. Torres-Agullo A. Karanasiou S. Lacorte |
| author_facet | A. Torres-Agullo A. Karanasiou S. Lacorte |
| author_sort | A. Torres-Agullo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks has been a worldwide primary protection measure to contain the spread of the virus. However, very little information is known about the possible inhalation of microplastics (MP) from wearing masks. This pilot study evaluates the presence of MP accumulated in nasal cavities through the nasal lavages technique. Six different commercial face masks were tested in 18 participants during five working days (8 h use/day). Eight different polymers (polystyrene, polyamide, poly(ethylene – propylene) diene monomer, polyester, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride) predominantly within the 20–300 µm size were detected in nasal lavages, with an average concentration of 28.3 ± 15.6 MP/5 mL nasal solution. Results demonstrate that MP in the nasal cavity are not associated to face mask use but rather to general exposure to airborne MP. We highlight the use of nasal lavages to evaluate human inhalation of MP and associate it to potential sources and risks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:43:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cd51b075fc8c4f30b46110d6e47b4251 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0160-4120 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:43:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environment International |
| spelling | doaj.art-cd51b075fc8c4f30b46110d6e47b42512023-08-16T04:26:31ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202023-08-01178108129Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask useA. Torres-Agullo0A. Karanasiou1S. Lacorte2Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of the Spanish Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC). Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, SpainInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of the Spanish Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC). Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, SpainCorresponding author.; Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of the Spanish Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC). Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, SpainDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks has been a worldwide primary protection measure to contain the spread of the virus. However, very little information is known about the possible inhalation of microplastics (MP) from wearing masks. This pilot study evaluates the presence of MP accumulated in nasal cavities through the nasal lavages technique. Six different commercial face masks were tested in 18 participants during five working days (8 h use/day). Eight different polymers (polystyrene, polyamide, poly(ethylene – propylene) diene monomer, polyester, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride) predominantly within the 20–300 µm size were detected in nasal lavages, with an average concentration of 28.3 ± 15.6 MP/5 mL nasal solution. Results demonstrate that MP in the nasal cavity are not associated to face mask use but rather to general exposure to airborne MP. We highlight the use of nasal lavages to evaluate human inhalation of MP and associate it to potential sources and risks.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023004026Human exposurePolymersEPDMIndoor airCOVID-19FTIR |
| spellingShingle | A. Torres-Agullo A. Karanasiou S. Lacorte Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use Environment International Human exposure Polymers EPDM Indoor air COVID-19 FTIR |
| title | Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use |
| title_full | Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use |
| title_fullStr | Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use |
| title_short | Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use |
| title_sort | nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics not associated from face mask use |
| topic | Human exposure Polymers EPDM Indoor air COVID-19 FTIR |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023004026 |
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