Toddlers are breathing in ‘microplastics from your carpet’, scientists warn

It’s no secret that microplastics are everywhere. They plague our oceans, beaches and even our food.

But now, scientists have issued a fresh warning about these small pieces of debris, claiming that toddlers are inhaling them at a worrying rate. The study, led by Birmingham University, sought to investigate the main sources of microplastics all around us, taking samples from 30 homes and 30 workplaces all over the city.

Remarkably, over 60% of the particles discovered were ‘fibres’ likely originating from carpets, textiles, and household fabrics. The study also highlighted that toddlers inhale far more of these than adults, posing a potential threat to their still-developing immune and nervous systems.

“The mean concentration of MPs [microplastics] in homes was significantly higher than that in the studied workplaces,” the experts wrote. “This was mainly attributed to carpeted floors in all the sampled homes, while 13 of the studied workplaces were uncarpeted. 

“…On a body weight basis, toddlers were exposed to more MPs [microplastics] via inhalation of indoor air than adults, which raises concern over the potential risk to this vulnerable group with incompletely developed immune and nervous systems.”

Microplastics, often less than 5mm in size, contaminate seafood, fish, bottled water, beer and various other products we consume every day. In 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said there was ‘limited evidence’ to suggest this is having an adverse impact on our health, but emerging research claims otherwise.

This includes a 2024 Harvard University study in which academics found a link between microplastic consumption and a worsened risk of heart attacks and strokes. The university explained: “When researchers tested the plaque removed from the neck arteries of 257 people, they found tiny particles of plastic — mostly polyethylene but also polyvinyl chloride — in 58% of the people.

“After nearly three years, the rate of heart attack, stroke, and death was 4.5 times higher in people with microplastics in their plaque than those without.” The Birmingham-based team also echoed similar health concerns, but acknowledged there are ‘major knowledge gaps in scientific understanding’ of microplastics.

They added: “[Microplastics] have proven capacity to adsorb various toxic chemicals from their surrounding environment, including hydrophobic organic pollutants and heavy metals. This has raised concern over threats to human health from exposure to MPs.

“Several studies have reported human absorption and accumulation of MPs [microplastics], particularly in the smaller size range <50 μm, in vital tissues and organs including blood, ovaries, testes, placenta, spleen, liver, colon, and lungs. However, according to the WHO, there is as yet limited evidence to suggest MPs [microplastics] can elicit significant adverse effects on human health.”

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