We’re Inhaling 100× More Microplastics Than Thought
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We’re Inhaling 100× More Microplastics Than Thought
A new study from the University of Toulouse, published in PLOS ONE on July 30th, 2025, reports that people may be inhaling up to 100 times more microplastics than previously estimated.
By using direct air sampling and chemical analysis in homes and cars, the researchers detected tens of thousands of airborne plastic particles in the respirable 1-10 µm size range – meaning that they are small enough to penetrate the lungs.
Rather than focusing on estimations, the study focused on real-world settings that most people encounter everyday. The findings indicate that the health impact of microplastics can be bigger than said in the past – with daily exposures reaching over 68,000 particles per person.
Read the full study here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0328011
What the Study Found
The researchers uncovered several surprising facts while conducting the study on airborne microplastics in common settings:
- Microplastic concentration in indoor air ranged from 528 particles/m3 in homes to 2,238 particles/m3 in car cabins – suggesting that cars may have a significantly lower air quality.
- 94% of the particles that were found were under 10 microns – making them small enough to be inhaled into the lungs (97% of the particles were fragments, rather than fibers or beads).
- The daily exposures for an average person were estimated as following: 3,200 particles in the 10-300 µm range and 68,000 particles in the 1-10 µm range (these exposure estimates are 100-fold higher than previous estimates that looked at larger microplastic sizes)
- Interestingly, the microplastic particles followed a power-law distribution – meaning that smaller particles were much more common.
All of these figures should raise alarming questions whether we know the true impact of microplastics on our environment.
How Was the Study Conducted
In this particular study, the data was collected from real-world indoor environments – not controlled lab settings – explaining why the findings may have been so different when compared to other studies on microplastics.
The scientists collected 12 indoor air samples from French residential apartments and private car cabins. Next, they used Raman microspectroscopy (a non-destructive chemical analysis technique for identifying materials) to identify plastic particles within PM10 air filters.
The analysis focused on particles in the 1-10 µm range, which are capable of reaching the lower respiratory tract. What the scientists found may be especially relevant for an average person, shedding light on potential everyday exposure scenarios.
Why This Study Matters Now
This study can significantly change our current understanding of microplastics – and how they impact our air quality. Many previous research articles focused on larger particles, showing very different estimates and conclusions.
By looking at smaller, inhalable microplastic particles, this paper reveals the levels of toxin exposure that are significantly higher. As written by the authors of the study, these microplastics can “release toxic additives and adsorbed environmental pollutants that may disrupt endocrine functions and increase risk of various diseases including cancer.”
By examining what’s in the everyday air we breathe, this 2025 article highlights a growing need to dive deep into our air quality – and assess potential systemic and respiratory risks for an average person.
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How Experts Reacted to the Study
Some scientists have quickly responded to the findings of this research conducted in France. Prof. Oliver Jones commented on the microplastics study, saying that we shouldn’t be worried about breathing plastic air just yet.
“The authors tested the air in three apartments and two cars via a total of 12 samples (plus four blanks). This is simply not enough data to make generalisations about the cities in France where the work took place, let alone the rest of the world,” said The Professor of Chemistry from RMIT University in Melbourne.
Prof. Jones also concluded that “particles at the top end of the PM10 range generally do not travel further into the lungs than the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). Plastic particles in the PM2.5 range (or smaller) might travel further, but the keyword here is ‘might’; this is a relatively new area of research.”
What to Expect in the Future
Despite looking at a very small number of samples, this research opens two new directions for further investigation with more attention to detail.
- Broader sampling in other environments, such as schools, offices, and public transport could give us a clearer picture on the real presence of microplastics in indoor air.
- Future toxicological studies may explore how inhaling small plastic particles impacts human health – especially with consideration of the smallest particles.
As future studies focus on the factors above, our awareness around indoor air quality needs to grow.
By better understanding what we’re actually breathing, we will be able to design cleaner buildings and cities – leading to less toxin burden, immune imbalances, and even chronic diseases.
With growing evidence that we’re breathing in far more microplastics than previously thought, it’s crucial to support the body’s natural detoxification systems—especially the liver and kidneys, which help filter out harmful substances. While we can’t always control our environment, we can take proactive steps to reduce toxin buildup and protect long-term health.
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