Pittsburgh study reveals inhaled microplastics cripple lung immune cells and spread to major organs
A University of Pittsburgh study presented at the 2025 American Thoracic Society International Conference shows that inhaled microplastics impair lung macrophages within 24 hours, reducing their ability to absorb bacteria. The particles also migrate to the liver, spleen, colon, brain, and kidneys within a week. Researchers found that acadesine, a leukemia drug, can partially restore macrophage function, offering a potential therapeutic avenue while long-term immune disruption risks remain.