If you live near a busy road, you’re likely full of microplastics; the more traffic you have, the more plastic shows up in your system.
March 23, 2026
Original Paper
Assessment of airborne micro- and nanoplastics exposure and health hazards of oxidative DNA damage in populations living in traffic-congested areas
SSRN · 6431897
The Takeaway
Most people assume microplastic exposure comes from contaminated food or water, but this research proves that urban traffic is a major source of internal plastic pollution. It demonstrates that tire wear and road dust particles are bypassing respiratory filters, entering the bloodstream, and being processed by the kidneys.
From the abstract
Airborne micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as a growing environmental and human health concern globally. This study aimed to investigate associations between exposure to traffic-related airborne MNPs and health hazards of oxidative damage among residents living in different traffic-congested areas in Bangkok, Thailand. Ambient and personal air samples were collected from low-, medium-, and high-traffic areas. From pyrolysis-GC-MS analysis, the airborne MNP concentrations significantly