Fashion’s invisible fallout: the impact of textile microfibers on lung health

How can tiny plastic fibers affect lung cells? Researchers of University of Groningen and their MOMENTUM colleagues discovered that nylon fibers are harmful to lung cells. The research was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine on November 14, 2023.

The study Inhalable Textile Microplastic Fibers Impair Airway Epithelial Differentiation by Song et al. explored how tiny plastic fibers, specifically from nylon and polyester textiles, can affect lung cells. “These microplastics are everywhere in our environment, and we can even breathe them in”, says lead PI Barbro Melgert. “Our study focused on how these particles affect epithelial cells in our lungs that first come into contact with them.”

Damage by nylon fibers

To study the impact of these microfibers on lungs, the investigators mostly used lung-in-dish models from both mice and humans. They discovered that the nylon fibers, more than those from polyester, were particularly harmful to airway epithelial cells through a still unknown chemical leaking from them. This chemical from nylon fibers seemed to stop airways from developing properly, a process essential for healthy lungs. The investigators identified that a specific factor in epithelial cells, named Hoxa5, played a key role in this harmful effect. By blocking Hoxa5, they could reverse the damage caused by nylon fibers.

Actual risk to human health

The results of this study call for a need to assess exposure and inhalation levels in indoor environments to accurately determine the actual risk of these fibers to human health. This is especially important for those who rely on airway growth and repair such as children, whose lungs are still developing, and people with lung diseases who need their lungs to repair effectively.

Want to know more? Barbro Melgert shared her thoughts on LinkedIn. Click here.