Researchers say they have found microplastics （微塑料） -tiny pieces of plastic that come as a result of the disposal of industrial waste-deep in the lungs of living （ human） for the first time.
The research, which （ publish） in the journal Science of the Total Environment last week, is the first study （ identify） the plastics in the lungs of living people. The plastics have （ previous） been found in human blood, waste and in the depths of the ocean.
In the study, researchers （ collect） lung tissue from surgical procedures on patients as part of their routine medical care. Researchers identified 12 types of microplastics, are commonly found in bottles, packaging, and clothing, along with other manufacturing processes.
The study notes "increasing concern" with the harm that could come with swallowing and breathing in microplastics.
The world produces about 300 million metric tons of plastic a year and about 80% ends in landfills and other parts of the environment. Microplastics can range from 10 nano-meters- （ small） than the human eye can see-to 5 millimeters in diameter, about the size of the eraser on the end of a pencil. Researchers have found them （ float） in the air, in tap or bottled water, and in the sea or soil.
