Concentration-Dependent Impact of Polystyrene Nanoplastic on Lung Surfactant Monolayer in Alveolar Fluid: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Environmentally ubiquitous microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) can be breathed in and travel through the branching air passages to reach the alveoli, where they initially come in contact with the pulmonary/lung surfactant monolayer, the most crucial structure for maintaining optimum respiratory mechanics. Examining the minimum concentration of NPs necessary to impact the physiochemistry of lung surfactant and changes to the typical structure of the surfactant monolayer, as well as how dif