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By Ian Randall
Deputy Science Editor
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Birds are breathing in high levels of airborne microplastics into their lungs—and, likely, so are we, with unclear effects on our health.
This is the warning of an international team of researchers, including Shane DuBay, an assistant professor of biology at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Birds were chosen to be the focus of the study, the team explained, because they often share environments with humans and are found in almost every corner of the world.
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"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 human health," DuBay said in a statement.
"Our findings call for further research, funding and action to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution and ensure a healthier environment," he continued.
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In their study, DuBay and his colleagues examined 56 wild birds—representing 51 distinct species—sampled from the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in western China.
This location—an area of high human activity—was chosen as part of the airport's wildlife management program, DuBay explained, which aims to reduce bird collisions with aircraft.
Collecting lung samples from each specimen, the team went on to perform two types of chemical analysis to measure the amount and types of plastic in the birds' lungs.
Laser direct infrared imaging—an advanced form of microscopy using laser light—was used to detect and count the microplastic particles in each bird's lungs.
The team then turned to pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry—a technique that identifies compounds by first using heat to break them down into smaller molecules—which helped identify even smaller particles known as nanoplastics.
Microplastics are classified as being smaller than 5 millimeters in size. In contrast, nanoplastics are below 0.001 millimeters in diameter, an order of magnitude smaller than human hairs are thick.
The researchers' analysis showed that the birds' lungs contained high concentrations of microplastics of 32 different types—with an average of 416 particles per gram of lung tissue, representing an average of more than 200 particles per bird studied.
For comparison, DuBay notes, a 2022 study of 13 human lung samples identified 39 microplastic particles in the samples, representing 12 different types of polymer.
"While we find significantly higher numbers, these differences should be taken with caution," the biologist told Newsweek.
"We have so few studies that have been able to look at microplastics in human lung tissue that would be able to give us a sense of exposure risk in humans and how that risk might vary by geography."
To date, no "safe" level of microplastics in lung tissue has been established. However, high levels of internal microplastics have been linked to various health conditions—including cancer, fertility issues, heart disease and respiratory problems.
The most common types of microplastic seen in the birds' lungs were chlorinated polyethylene—which is used, for example, to insulate pipes and wires—and butadiene rubber, a synthetic material used in the manufacture of tires.
"Birds serve as important indicators of environmental conditions," DuBay said. "They help us understand the state of the environment and make informed decisions about conservation and pollution control."
As to whether birds are likely to be exposed to more of less airborne microplastics, the biologist says answering that question will require "much more" research.
"Bird generally have higher respiratory rates than humans and are cycling air through their lungs much faster," DuBay said.
"But, on the other hand, birds and humans in the same place are breathing the same air. They would be exposed to the same airborne plastics."
With their initial study complete, the researchers are now looking to explore the other ways in which microplastics can enter the body—such as ingesting via food.
"Identifying the different pathways of exposure will be important for understanding their combined impacts on broader organismal health," DuBay concluded.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about microplastic pollution? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Update 03/02/25, 12:38 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and comments from Shane DuBay.
References
Jenner, L. C., Rotchell, J. M., Bennett, R. T., Cowen, M., Tentzeris, V., & Sadofsky, L. R. (2022). Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy. Science of The Total Environment, 831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907
Wang, M., Zhou, P., DuBay, S., Zhang, S., Yang, Z., Wang, Y., Zhang, J., Cao, Y., Hu, Z., He, X., Wang, S., Li, M., Fan, C., Zou, B., Zhou, C., & Wu, Y. (2025). Assessing microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in bird lungs: Evidence of ecological risks and bioindicator potential. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137274
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