A team at the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School analysed lung tissue removed during surgery from 13 living patients, using infrared spectroscopy to identify plastic particles.
They found 39 microplastic particles in 11 of the 13 samples. Polypropylene and PET were the most common polymers. Particles were found in all regions of the lung, including the lower lobes, which was unexpected because airways narrow so much that scientists had assumed particles would be filtered out.
The finding matters because it shows inhaled plastic fibres, from clothing, furnishings and dust, reach and lodge in living lung tissue.
The sample was small and the study measured presence only, not any effect on lung health.