Size distribution of nanoplastics and tyre wear particles in human tonsils

This study investigates the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in human tonsil tissue. The tonsils are uniquely positioned in the oropharynx, a gateway to both the immune, respiratory, and digestive systems, thus acting as the first line of defence towards inhaled and ingested particles. We analysed tonsil samples from 15 individuals using Thermal Desorption - Proton Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometry, detecting a range of micro- and nanoplastics types, including polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), along with notable findings of tyre wear particles. We detected large differences in polymer types and size classes for each sample with concentrations spanning over four orders of magnitude, bringing nanoplastic concentration for the size class 20-200 nm with an average of 350 ng/mg dry weight. This study is the first to document the accumulation of nanoplastics and nanosized tyre wear in an immunologically active human organ.