Microplastics’ effect on lung health part of pioneering UH study

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A groundbreaking project launched by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to study the impact of microplastics on respiratory health has earned a three-year, $352,126 grant from the National Science Foundation.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics, can last for centuries, and may enter our bodies through what we eat, drink and breathe. Engineers are trying to figure out how these tiny plastic particles affect our health and the environment. The study, led by Professor Yi Zuo, aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which microplastics impact our respiratory systems.

"Our research is crucial because microplastics are everywhere in our environment, posting serious threats to water quality, marine wildlife and ecosystems, and human health," said Zuo, a professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering and adjunct professor of pediatrics in the John A. Burns School of Medicine. "Microplastics have been found in the blood and lungs of healthy humans, highlighting an urgent need to understand their impact on our health, particularly our ability to breathe."

Hawaiʻi's waters and beaches rank among the most polluted environments by microplastics on Earth. Hawaiʻi is in the path of one of the largest ocean currents that collect marine debris, which positions the state in the middle of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," also known as the North Pacific Gyre. Most of Hawaiʻi's marine plastic debris accumulates on its windward beaches. Kamilo Beach, also known as "Plastic Beach," located on the southeastern tip of Hawaiʻi Island, is one of the world's most polluted places by plastics.

Zuo's preliminary results, published in Environmental Science and Technology, demonstrate that nanoscale plastic particles can accumulate at the surface of a lung fluid known as pulmonary surfactant, compromising its biological function to ease breathing.

In addition to its scientific goals, the project emphasizes community engagement and diversity in science. Zuo plans to collaborate with local nonprofit organizations to raise public awareness about the dangers of microplastics and advocate for reducing early-life plastic exposure to protect children's health and well-being.

The research team is also committed to promoting participation from underrepresented groups, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and students from low-income families, in line with the university's dedication to fostering inclusivity in scientific research.