Pharmaceutical Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

Micro-and Nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous biological pollutants that have been identified throughout a variety of biological samples. MNPs have been detected in several human tissues, such as the brain, kidneys, and liver. Lung tissue remains understudied for MNP accumulation despite the large surface area and clear path for exposure. Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), human lung tissue was evaluated for 12 different polymers, enabling quantification of total plastic per gram of tissue to be identified. Further analysis was performed with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to investigate heavy metal accumulation in human lung samples and determine whether a link exists between MNP and heavy metal accumulation. Additionally, MNP burden in mouse lung tissue was analyzed across multiple time points to characterize the changes in accumulation over time. Mouse MNP exposure and distribution were then compared to human exposure. Key differences were found in both the quantity and distribution of plastics between mice and humans. These interspecies differences suggest that the mechanisms of MNP exposure, distribution, and accumulation are species-dependent and warrant further investigation.

First Committee Member (Chair)

Matthew Campen, PhD, MSPS

Degree Name

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Second Committee Member

Marcus Garcia, PharmD, RPh

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Third Committee Member

Barry Bleske, PharmD, FCCP

Department Name

College of Pharmacy

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Keywords

Microplastics, Py-GC/MS, Nanoplastics, Lungs, Pulmonary, ICP-MS, Quantification

Download

Share

COinS