Previously, researchers have discovered microplastics in both blood and feces.

Now, British researchers at Hull York Medical School have also found plastic deep inside our lungs.

When the researchers examined tissue from 13 patients who had undergone various surgical procedures, the plastic was found in 11 people.

The researchers were particularly surprised that they found microplastics in the lower parts of the lungs.

- We were surprised by the high concentration and size of the particles because we did not think that the particles could get into the narrow lower parts of the lungs, says the study's lead author Laura Sadofsky.

Available in air and water

Microplastics are found everywhere in the environment around us.

Artificial greens, car tires and synthetic textiles are some of the sources.

Like fertilizers, glitter in makeup, detergents and paints.

We get the small particles through food, water and air.

The British study found 12 different types of microplastics in patients' lungs.

The most common were polypropylene and PET particles.

That is, the type of material that is found in pipes, bottles and food packaging, for example.

The Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet is investigating how cultured lung cells are affected by microplastics.

Researcher Hanna Karlsson, who is an associate professor of toxicology, thinks the British study is interesting.

- It is very interesting but there are also some ambiguities.

It is difficult to study this and I still ask myself a little question why you can see such large fibers far down in the lung.

I think we need more studies that can confirm these results.

Can these particles cause disease?

- We do not really know yet.

It has been seen that industrial workers who are exposed to very high levels of textile fibers or microplastics have a higher risk of suffering from various diseases.

We also know that particles generally have a number of different health effects.

But at the moment we do not think that the exposure is so high and the particles are usually not acutely toxic.

On the other hand, it is problematic that they are so difficult for the body to break down, says Hanna Karlsson.