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Review Open Access

Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review) 

  • Authors:
    • Jahja Teguh Widjaja
    • Ristag Hamida Hanisia
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Kristen Maranatha, Bandung, West Java 40164, Indonesia, Biotechnology Undergraduate's Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Kristen Maranatha, Bandung, West Java 40164, Indonesia
    Copyright: © Widjaja et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].
  • Article Number: 20
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    Published online on: February 5, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.435
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Abstract

The issue of airborne microplastic pollution is a significant environmental challenge due to its widespread and rapid distribution and potential health hazards. One of these issues is the potential impact of microplastics on the lung microbiome and its potential effects on respiratory health. Evidence suggests that microplastic fibers may contribute to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions, including asthma, by affecting the lung microbiome and triggering inflammation. The lung microbiome is essential for regulating innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. The microbiome contributes to maintaining lung homeostasis by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microbial colonies and supporting tissue repair processes. It has been demonstrated that changes in the lung microbiome due to microplastic pollution are associated with increased airway inflammation, increased mucus production and fibrosis in asthmatic mice, suggesting that microplastics may compromise respiratory health by affecting the lung microbiome. The present review aimed to integrate available research on the impact of inhaled microplastics on the lung microbiome, resulting in changes in microbial composition and function, and to assess the potential implications of microplastics for inflammation, immune dysfunction and respiratory disease. Previous research has validated the detection of microplastics in pulmonary tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage samples, further indicating that inhalation serves as a major means of exposure. Concurrently, academic investigations indicate that these foreign particles may interfere with the respiratory microbiome by engaging in physical interactions with microbial communities, eliciting inflammatory responses, and transporting chemical additives and environmental toxins.

View Figures

Figure 1

Schematic diagram illustrating the
primary sources and pathways of airborne microplastics entering the
human lungs.

Figure 2

(A) Illustration of the mechanisms by
which airborne microplastics affect the respiratory microbiome. (B)
Schematic diagram of microplastic-induced pulmonary inflammatory
cascade. Inhaled microplastics adhere to alveolar epithelium,
promoting Gram-negative dysbiosis and the release of LPS. LPS
activates TLR4 → NF-κB priming → NLRP3 inflammasome assembly →
IL-1β/IL-6/pyroptosis, driving microbiome shifts
(↑Prevotella) and asthma exacerbation. LPS,
lipopolysaccharides; ROS, reactive oxygen species; PS, polystyrene;
PP, polypropylene; GSDMD, gasdermin D.
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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Widjaja JT and Hanisia RH: <p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>. World Acad Sci J 8: 20, 2026.
APA
Widjaja, J.T., & Hanisia, R.H. (2026). <p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 8, 20. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.435
MLA
Widjaja, J. T., Hanisia, R. H."<p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8.2 (2026): 20.
Chicago
Widjaja, J. T., Hanisia, R. H."<p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8, no. 2 (2026): 20. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.435
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Widjaja JT and Hanisia RH: <p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>. World Acad Sci J 8: 20, 2026.
APA
Widjaja, J.T., & Hanisia, R.H. (2026). <p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 8, 20. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.435
MLA
Widjaja, J. T., Hanisia, R. H."<p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8.2 (2026): 20.
Chicago
Widjaja, J. T., Hanisia, R. H."<p>Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)&nbsp;</p>". World Academy of Sciences Journal 8, no. 2 (2026): 20. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2026.435
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