Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels

Humans are increasingly exposed to airborne plastic particles due to their widespread contamination of all parts of the environment, yet the extent of inhalation exposure is still widely unknown. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) are two methodologies that are routinely used to detect micron or sub-micron foreign particles lodged in the human respiratory system. However, disposable plastic sampling and collection equipment is commonly used in these procedures. In this study, the potential of sample contamination due to the migration of particles from a range of containers commonly used in BAL and TBNA sample collection was investigated. PE and PVC were detected at the highest concentrations (1.5-5.6 and 1.2-8.0 g/sample, respectively) and likely originated from the container (PE) or background contamination from the manufacture/shipping process (PVC). The results demonstrated that samples collected with BAL equipment could be confidently used for the quantification of PP, PMMA, PC and PVC. Samples collected with the TBNA equipment could be confidently used for quantification of PMMA and PC, but with further assessment of trace levels from certain pieces of equipment, PP, PET, and PS could also be quantified. The results of this study demonstrate that there is potential to analyze samples collected in plastic hospital collection equipment for certain polymers. As a recommendation, background contamination from materials to be used in sample collection should be assessed before sample collection, and if consistent, then there is the potential for the analysis of a range of target plastics, with the addition of blank subtraction.