People may be breathing in microplastics, health expert warns

Environmental health professor says microparticles of plastic, known to damage marine life, could be entering the air

People could be breathing in microparticles of plastic, according to a leading environmental health expert, with as yet unknown consequences on health.

Microplastics are known to be damaging to life in the oceans, with marine creatures mistaking them for food, and to be consumed by people eating seafood. But Frank Kelly, a professor of environmental health at King's College London, told MPs investigating the issue that the particles could be being inhaled too.