Microplastics tiny fragments of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size have been found in oceans, rivers, food, and even human blood. But now, new research shows they are also filling the air we breathe and making their way deep into our lungs. A groundbreaking study from France has revealed that the amount of plastic dust floating in our homes and cars is far higher than scientists once believed.
Plastic Dust in Everyday Air
Researchers measured indoor air samples from apartments and cars, using a highly sensitive method known as Raman spectroscopy. The results were startling. On average, apartments contained more than 500 microplastic particles per cubic meter of air, while cars had more than 2,200 particles per cubic meter.
For comparison, earlier estimates suggested far lower levels meaning we may have been underestimating the problem by at least 100 times.
These particles are so small that most are less than 10 micrometers wide. To put that in perspective, that’s about one-tenth the width of a human hair. At this size, microplastics can easily be inhaled and slip deep into the lungs, where they may remain lodged for years.
Breathing in Thousands Every Day
The study estimates that the average adult could inhale around 71,000 microplastic particles every single day. Since the air inside cars contained the highest concentrations, researchers suspect that modern materials such as synthetic upholstery, carpets, and plastics used in dashboards and seats may be a major source.
This discovery highlights how plastics are not just a problem for the environment but also for our personal health. Unlike larger debris that can be coughed out, the smallest particles may bypass the body’s natural defenses and embed themselves in lung tissue.
Health Risks of Inhaled Microplastics:
While scientists are still studying the long-term health effects, early research paints a troubling picture. Microplastic exposure has already been linked to:
Respiratory issues due to inflammation and scarring in the lungs.
Higher risks of cancer from toxic additives in plastics.
Cardiovascular disease such as stroke or heart attack, possibly triggered by microplastics entering the bloodstream.
Reproductive problems, since plastics often contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.
The concern is not only the plastic itself but also the chemicals and pollutants that cling to it. Microplastics can carry heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins, which may compound their harmful effects once inside the body.
Indoor Spaces Pose the Greatest Risk
What makes this discovery especially worrying is that people spend up to 90% of their lives indoors at home, at work, or inside vehicles. That means exposure to airborne plastics is likely constant and unavoidable in modern environments.
Simple actions such as cleaning, ventilating homes, and reducing the use of synthetic materials may help, but experts warn that larger solutions will require addressing plastic use at a global scale.
A Call for Urgent Research
The authors of the study stress that more investigation is needed to fully understand how inhaled microplastics affect human health. While the presence of plastics in the lungs has been confirmed, the long-term consequences remain unclear. However, the early evidence is enough to raise alarms.
As one researcher noted, “We once thought of microplastics as a problem for oceans and food chains. Now it’s clear they’re in the very air we breathe, and that changes everything.”
The Bigger Picture
This discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that microplastics are everywhere in seafood, bottled water, table salt, and even human bloodstreams. The fact that they are also entering our lungs means no part of daily life is free from exposure.
The study doesn’t suggest that the problem is unsolvable, but it underscores the urgent need for solutions from reducing plastic production to improving filtration systems in homes, vehicles, and public spaces.
For now, awareness is the first step. Knowing that plastic dust is filling the air around us may help spark the changes needed to protect both human health and the environment.
Source:
“Human exposure to PM10 microplastics in indoor air” (July 2025). PLOS ONE.