Microplastics and their effects on the human body
Professor of Respiratory Immunology Barbro Melgert studies the effect of microplastics on the lungs. ‘I thought they wouldn’t have any effect, but they did.’ Since 2004, we know about the existence of microplastics: they are everywhere, and they potentially have many negative effects on our bodies. Melgert demonstrates the effect of microplastics on the lungs and explains how to minimize their effect. This is the last of four articles on plastic research at the UG.
FSE Science Newsroom | René Fransen
Melgert studies the response of our lungs to the different substances we inhale. In 2018, she received a grant to study the effect of microplastics on the lungs. ‘At the time, I knew very little about microplastics. I was relatively late to the game; microplastics were first identified as a problem in 2004, although back then, people mainly worried about their negative effects on marine life.’
These days, we know that microplastics are mostly found in our homes, especially in well-insulated modern houses. Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic, varying in size from microscopic to a few millimetres. Some are small fragments of synthetic clothing fibres or polyester carpets, and are also added to cosmetics, for example, as abrasives in facial scrubs.
The discovery of microplastics
In 2004, British marine biologists published the article ‘Lost at sea: Where is all the plastic’ in the scientific journal Science. They described the ocean as being filled with tiny plastic fragments and expressed their concern about their danger. The article concludes with a warning: ‘There is the potential for plastics to adsorb, release, and transport chemicals. However, it remains to be shown whether toxic substances can pass from plastics to the food chain. More work is needed to establish whether there are any environmental consequences of this debris.’ In other words, the authors worried about the potential poisonous effects of microplastics on fish and on those who eat fish.
Since the publication of this first paper, microplastics have been found everywhere on the planet and in our bodies, even in the brain and the placenta. Scientists have also identified nanoplastics, which are plastics smaller than 0.001 millimetre. There are many signs of their negative impact on the environment, as well as the danger they could pose to our health. However, as there are many different types, it is hard to determine the exact effect of microplastics.
Microplastics in miniature lungs
Melgert tested microplastics in miniature lung models she grows from lung stem cells. ‘I examined polyester and nylon microplastics, as these are often present in homes.’ She did not expect much of the experiment: ‘I thought they wouldn't have any effect, but they did.’ The results were obvious: nylon had a visible effect on the development of the airways, while the alveoli, the ‘air sacs’ that absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide, seemed to be hardly affected.
The results suggested that some toxic substance was leaching from the nylon microplastics. ‘However, the producers denied they contained any additives.’ There are several ways in which the nylon could have been contaminated, for example during the production process or by absorbing pollutants during use. ‘And when plastics are recycled, it is impossible to verify the source material.’
Melgert and her team were able to discover the way this mystery contamination affects the lungs: it appears to stimulate something called the retinoic acid receptor in the cells. ‘However, it is extremely difficult to establish which substance causes the effect. Testing all the unknown substances in microplastics is like looking for a needle in a haystack.’ On top of that, the mini-lungs used in her experiments take time to grow and are expensive to use. ‘We are working on a faster and cheaper screening method.’
Mini-lungs
Melgert uses so-called lung organoids, mini-lungs grown in the lab using lung stem cells — cells that the body uses to renew tissue. Lung stem cells can grow into different cell types, for example into cells of the airways or of the alveoli. Through a process called differentiation, stem cells take one of those routes. Melgert’s experiments with nylon microplastics revealed that the differentiation process towards airway cells is disturbed by these microplastics.
Most of the research on microplastics is aimed at identifying where they are found, rather than identifying their effects.
Too many plastics
To paint a picture of what Melgert and her colleagues are up against: some 13,000 different additives to plastics have been described. Roughly half of those could have a negative effect on our health. ‘However, most of the research on microplastics is aimed at identifying where they are found, rather than identifying their effects and—more importantly—how they are achieved.’ Another problem is that it is difficult to compare studies on microplastics: there are many types of plastics, and the same types may even contain different additives.
To tackle this, the Dutch government funded a national programme called MOMENTUM (https://momentummicroplastics.nl) through ZonMW. In this programme, all participating Dutch scientists study plastics that we know are present in the environment and which can have an effect on our health: polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon.
Melgert: ‘We use the same microplastic particles in all our studies.’ The project started in 2021 and is currently in its final phase. Its results will appear later this year, hopefully revealing some of the ways in which these microplastics affect our health. Environmental psychologists are also involved in this project to assess people’s knowledge about microplastics and the way people can change their behaviour to minimize the production of and exposure to microplastics.
Microplastics in your washing machine
Microplastics are created by the abrasion of plastic objects. When washing clothes made of synthetic fabrics, you can reduce the production or microplastics in several ways. One way is to fill up the washing machine, as this reduces friction. Using washing powder also increases friction, so it is better to use a liquid formula. Finally, washing at lower temperatures further reduces the production of microplastics.
Don’t buy cheap plastic items that can’t be reused or repaired, or any fast fashion.
Microplastics in our homes
In the end, exposure to microplastics is a problem caused by us and our consumption patterns. ‘To reduce exposure, I stopped using plastic containers to store or microwave food,’ says Melgert. She also recommends regularly vacuuming your house and airing the rooms. ‘Also, don’t buy cheap plastic items that can’t be reused or repaired, or any fast fashion, as these clothes are more prone to pilling.’ But in general, we should use less plastic. ‘I also believe there should be laws in place to make sure that we know what components have been used in plastic production.’
Last month, Barbro Melgert received a grant from the ZonMW Open Competition, for the project ‘Are microplastics an environmental cause of lung cancer?’
This is the final article in a four-part series on plastic research at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, see below.
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