More than half of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) is estimated to occur through inhalation of airborne particles, which can then reach lung tissue (FPF reported) and even lower airways (FPF reported). People in certain occupations may experience higher respiratory exposure. However, the potential health risks due to occupational inhalation have received little attention. In an article published on June 16, 2026, in the journal Environmental Research, Gwenda F. Vasse from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and co-authors reported associations between airborne MNPs, reduced lung function and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms based on epidemiological data.
Specifically, the researchers found that lung function was significantly reduced at higher occupational MNP exposure levels. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was, on average, 42.9 mL lower in the high-exposure group than in the non-exposed group. Airway obstruction was also more common among study participants with high occupational exposure. In addition, occupational MNP exposure was associated with increased odds of all evaluated respiratory symptoms (wheezing, coughing, bronchitis, dyspnea) and of asthma, with the exception of sputum production. In all these cases, effects were generally larger at higher exposure levels.
On the other hand, the study found no significant association between MNP exposure and declines in lung function over time or the development of airway obstruction, respiratory symptoms, or asthma.
Of the 136,928 study participants, 34,071 had low or high occupational exposure to MNPs. Most of these individuals worked in the medical and dental sector (25.9%), cleaning (23.8%), or construction (17.3%). While the first two sectors were predominantly female, construction was predominantly male, highlighting that “MNP exposure at work is not only shaped by occupation, but also by gendered labor participation.”
The authors concluded that their “findings provide evidence of an association between occupational exposure to airborne MNP and adverse respiratory health outcomes.”
For their evaluation, the scientists developed a Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) for airborne MNP exposure (PlastiXJEM®) based on the judgement of four experts in the field. To create the JEM, they consulted the International Standard Classification of Occupations (2008) (ISCO-08), which classifies jobs according to duties, tasks, and required skill levels. Occupations were assigned to categories 0, 1, and 2 corresponding to no, low, and high occupational exposure, respectively. Data from 136,928 participants in the Lifelines cohort, living in the Northern Netherlands, were used to investigate associations between JEM-based occupational exposure and respiratory outcomes. Of the participants, 75.1% were classified as having no exposure, 21.7% as having low exposure, and 3.2% as having high exposure to airborne MNPs.
Reference
Vasse, G. F. et al. (June 16, 2026). “A job exposure matrix for occupational exposure to airborne micro and nanoplastics (PlastiXJEM® ) and associations with respiratory outcomes.” Environmental Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.125004
