Saha Suvash C, Saha Goutam
School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
Department of Mathematics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
Heliyon. 2024 Jan 11;10(2):e24355. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24355. eCollection 2024 Jan 30.
Microplastics have become omnipresent in the environment, including the air we inhale, the water we consume, and the food we eat. Despite limited research, the accumulation of microplastics within the human respiratory system has garnered considerable interest because of its potential implications for health. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the impacts stemming from the accumulation of microplastics on human lung airways and explores the computational benefits and challenges associated with studying this phenomenon. The existence of microplastics in the respiratory system can lead to a range of adverse effects. Research has indicated that microplastics can induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired lung function. Furthermore, the small size of microplastics allows them to penetrate deep into the lungs, reaching the alveoli, where gas exchange takes place. This raises concerns about long-term health consequences, such as the development of respiratory diseases and the potential for translocation to other organs. Computational approaches have been instrumental in understanding the impact of microplastic deposition on human lung airways. Computational models and simulations enable the investigation of particle dynamics, deposition patterns, and interaction mechanisms at various levels of complexity. However, studying microplastics in the lung airways using computational methods presents several challenges. The complex anatomy and physiological processes of the respiratory system require accurate representation in computational models. Obtaining relevant data for model validation and parameterization remains a significant hurdle. Additionally, the diverse nature of microplastics, including variations in size, shape, and chemical composition, poses challenges in capturing their full range of behaviours and potential toxicological effects.
微塑料已在环境中无处不在，包括我们吸入的空气、饮用的水和食用的食物。尽管研究有限，但微塑料在人类呼吸系统中的积累因其对健康的潜在影响而引起了相当大的关注。本综述全面考察了微塑料积累对人类肺气道的影响，并探讨了研究这一现象的计算优势和挑战。呼吸系统中微塑料的存在会导致一系列不良影响。研究表明，微塑料可引发炎症、氧化应激和肺功能受损。此外，微塑料的小尺寸使其能够深入肺部，到达进行气体交换的肺泡。这引发了人们对长期健康后果的担忧，如呼吸系统疾病的发展以及转移到其他器官的可能性。计算方法在理解微塑料沉积对人类肺气道的影响方面发挥了重要作用。计算模型和模拟能够在不同复杂程度上研究颗粒动力学、沉积模式和相互作用机制。然而，使用计算方法研究肺气道中的微塑料存在若干挑战。呼吸系统复杂的解剖结构和生理过程需要在计算模型中准确呈现。获取用于模型验证和参数化的相关数据仍然是一个重大障碍。此外，微塑料的多样性，包括尺寸、形状和化学成分的变化，给全面捕捉其行为和潜在毒理学效应带来了挑战。
