THE IMPACT OF MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES ON THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES

Microplastic particles (MP) have emerged as a critical concern in environmental medicine. This review analyzes the literature published from 2021 to 2026 on the mechanisms by which MPs enter the human body via the respiratory tract, accumulate in lung tissue, impair pulmonary macrophage immunological functions, and trigger inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. Evidence indicates that inhaled MPs reduce macrophage phagocytic capacity, disrupt lysosomal processing, activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, and trigger reactive oxygen species overproduction. These changes may predispose individuals to chronic pulmonary diseases, fibrosis, and lung cancer.

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