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February 27, 2025

High microplastic levels in bird lungs suggest widespread air pollution impact

Credit: Luke Frishkoff / University of Texas at Arlington
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Credit: Luke Frishkoff / University of Texas at Arlington

Microscopic plastic pollutants drifting through the air are lodging in the lungs of birds, a new University of Texas at Arlington study finds. Researchers worldwide are increasingly alarmed by how pervasive these harmful particles are in the air humans breathe and the food they eat.

Shane DuBay, an assistant professor of biology at UTA and co-author of the study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, said birds were chosen for the study because they are found in almost every corner of the world and often share environments with humans.

"Birds serve as important indicators of environmental conditions," said DuBay, who collaborated with researchers from Sichuan University and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, both in Chengdu, China. "They help us understand the state of the environment and make informed decisions about conservation and ."

DuBay's team studied 56 different wild birds from 51 , all sampled from the Tianfu airport in western China. They collected lung samples from each bird and performed two types of chemical analyses.

They used laser direct infrared technology to detect and count microplastics in the birds' lungs. Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry helped identify even smaller nanoplastics, which can enter the lungs through the bloodstream. Together, the tests allowed scientists to measure the amount of in the birds' lungs and determine the specific types of plastics present.

The study found high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with an average of 221 particles per species and 416 particles per gram of . The most common types identified were chlorinated polyethylene, used for insulating pipes and wires, and butadiene rubber, a synthetic material in tires.

While no official "safe" level of plastic particles in lung tissue exists, high levels of microplastics have been linked to serious health conditions, including , cancer, respiratory problems and fertility issues.

"Our research highlights an urgent need to address plastic pollution in our environments, as these contaminants can have far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health, as well as ," DuBay said. "Our findings call for further research, funding and action to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution and ensure a healthier environment."

More information: Mengzhu Wang et al, Assessing microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in bird lungs: evidence of ecological risks and bioindicator potential, Journal of Hazardous Materials (2025).

Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials

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High levels of microplastics have been detected in the lungs of birds, indicating significant air pollution. Birds, serving as environmental indicators, were studied at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, revealing an average of 221 microplastic particles per species and 416 particles per gram of lung tissue. The most common plastics found were chlorinated polyethylene and butadiene rubber. These findings underscore the urgent need to address plastic pollution due to its potential health impacts.

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