High Levels of Microplastics Discovered in Birds' Respiratory Systems; Tires Identified as Primary Cause
25 March 2025 路 Uncategorized 路
Source: 路 https://technews.tw/2025/03/24/air-plastics-pollution/
Microplastics are present not only within the environment but also inside human bodies. A recent study discovered a significant accumulation of microplastics in bird lungs, identifying tire wear as an important source primarily responsible for these particles, further confirming tires' role in air pollution.
Birds have long been considered canaries for environmental risks. Researchers analyzed lung tissues from 51 different species鈥攔egardless of size or habitat preference鈥攁nd found microplastics in every single one, averaging up to 416 particles per gram of tissue. Terrestrial birds had more microplastic than waterbirds and larger birds carried a higher burden compared with smaller ones. Carnivorous and omnivorous species showed the highest levels, indicating that habitat type and foraging locations are key pathways for exposure.
The identified microplastics came in various forms such as fibers, films or particles derived from 32 different types of plastics including polyethylene (PE), polyester urethane (PU), PVC, and butadiene rubber. The authors suggest these materials commonly used in tire manufacturing could be a significant source due to the release of butadiene rubber particles through wear; however, further research is needed for confirmation.
The study chose birds as subjects because they are widespread across Earth's surface and often share habitats with humans, making them important indicators of environmental health. Additionally, their high activity levels coupled with faster breathing rates make them more susceptible than humans to airborne pollutants. Scientists warn that since both species breathe the same air in shared spaces, human exposure is inevitable.
The accumulation of microplastics found within bird lungs highlights widespread pollution issues and poses significant threats to animal and human health alike. A 2021 Swiss study revealed over ten thousand chemicals used in plastic production with more than two thousand four hundred harmful to humans; a separate investigation from the same year into thirteen lung samples discovered thirty-nine microplastic particles representing twelve different polymer types.
This research echoes similar findings of 'hotspots' for microplastics within human lungs and nasal passages, emphasizing the impact of airborne particle drift. It underscores an urgent need to address plastic pollution in our environment while also highlighting that air-borne microplastics cannot be cleaned up but must instead be prevented at their source.
The field studying health impacts from microplastic exposure is still young鈥攄espite most researchers acknowledging potential harm, high-quality studies and consistent methodologies are lacking. Researchers now aim to explore other pathways for how birds ingest these particles such as through food intake in order to better understand the multiple ways that microplastics affect biological systems.
(Lead image source: Unsplash)
Birds have long been considered canaries for environmental risks. Researchers analyzed lung tissues from 51 different species鈥攔egardless of size or habitat preference鈥攁nd found microplastics in every single one, averaging up to 416 particles per gram of tissue. Terrestrial birds had more microplastic than waterbirds and larger birds carried a higher burden compared with smaller ones. Carnivorous and omnivorous species showed the highest levels, indicating that habitat type and foraging locations are key pathways for exposure.
The identified microplastics came in various forms such as fibers, films or particles derived from 32 different types of plastics including polyethylene (PE), polyester urethane (PU), PVC, and butadiene rubber. The authors suggest these materials commonly used in tire manufacturing could be a significant source due to the release of butadiene rubber particles through wear; however, further research is needed for confirmation.
The study chose birds as subjects because they are widespread across Earth's surface and often share habitats with humans, making them important indicators of environmental health. Additionally, their high activity levels coupled with faster breathing rates make them more susceptible than humans to airborne pollutants. Scientists warn that since both species breathe the same air in shared spaces, human exposure is inevitable.
The accumulation of microplastics found within bird lungs highlights widespread pollution issues and poses significant threats to animal and human health alike. A 2021 Swiss study revealed over ten thousand chemicals used in plastic production with more than two thousand four hundred harmful to humans; a separate investigation from the same year into thirteen lung samples discovered thirty-nine microplastic particles representing twelve different polymer types.
This research echoes similar findings of 'hotspots' for microplastics within human lungs and nasal passages, emphasizing the impact of airborne particle drift. It underscores an urgent need to address plastic pollution in our environment while also highlighting that air-borne microplastics cannot be cleaned up but must instead be prevented at their source.
The field studying health impacts from microplastic exposure is still young鈥攄espite most researchers acknowledging potential harm, high-quality studies and consistent methodologies are lacking. Researchers now aim to explore other pathways for how birds ingest these particles such as through food intake in order to better understand the multiple ways that microplastics affect biological systems.
(Lead image source: Unsplash)