Humans are likely inhaling far greater amounts of lung-penetrating microplastics than previously assumed, scientists are warning.

People may be breathing in about 100 times more of these tiny fragments than past estimates indicated — from sources based both outside and indoors, including in homes and cars, researchers revealed in a new study, published on Wednesday in PLOS One.

These tiny, inhaled particles can invade the lungs and cause oxidative stress, while wreaking havoc on the immune system and other organs, according to the study authors.

“Everywhere we look, we find microplastics, even in the air we breathe inside our homes and cars,” they said in a statement. “The biggest concern is how small these particles are completely invisible to the naked eye.”

While research has thus far largely focused on larger microplastics ranging........

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