Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, PR China; Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning, Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, Shenyang, PR China.
Institute of Preventive Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China; Institute of Inspection and Testing, Liaoning Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang, PR China.
J Hazard Mater. 2024 Dec 5;480:136069. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136069. Epub 2024 Oct 6.
Microplastics (MPs) can enter the human body through respiration and pose a hazard to human health. Wearing masks has become a routine behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of respirational exposure and the influence of wearing masks are currently unknown. We recruited 113 college students and divided them into natural exposure (NE), surgical mask (SM), and cotton mask (CM) groups. Nasal lavage fluid (NLF) was collected and MPs characteristics were analyzed using polarized light microscopy and laser direct infrared system. We found a relatively high abundance of MPs in NLF in the SM group (41.24 ± 1.73 particles/g). The particle size distribution and fibrous MP percentage significantly differed among the three groups. The main components in the NE, SM, and CM groups were polypropylene (58.70 %)，polycarbonate (PC, 49.49 %)，and PC (54.29 %). Components such as polyamide, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate were also detected. Wearing surgical masks increased the MP abundance in NLF (β = 0.36, P < 0.01). As the wear time increased, the abundance of MPs also rose (β = 0.28, P < 0.05). However, those who used bedding containing synthetic fibers had lower MP abundance in their NLF. This study highlights the use of NLF to evaluate MP exposure, which is associated with potential health risks.
微塑料（MPs）可通过呼吸进入人体，对人类健康构成危害。在 COVID-19 大流行期间，戴口罩已成为一种常规行为。目前尚不清楚呼吸暴露水平和戴口罩的影响。我们招募了 113 名大学生，并将他们分为自然暴露（NE）、外科口罩（SM）和棉口罩（CM）组。收集鼻洗液（NLF），并用偏光显微镜和激光直接红外系统分析 MPs 的特征。我们发现 SM 组的 NLF 中 MPs 的丰度相对较高（41.24±1.73 个/克）。三组间粒径分布和纤维状 MPs 百分比有显著差异。NE、SM 和 CM 组的主要成分分别为聚丙烯（58.70%）、聚碳酸酯（PC，49.49%）和 PC（54.29%）。还检测到聚酰胺、聚乙烯和聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯等成分。佩戴外科口罩会增加 NLF 中的 MPs 丰度（β=0.36，P<0.01）。随着佩戴时间的增加，MPs 的丰度也会升高（β=0.28，P<0.05）。然而，那些使用含有合成纤维的床上用品的人，其 NLF 中的 MPs 丰度较低。本研究强调了使用 NLF 评估 MPs 暴露情况，这与潜在的健康风险有关。
