Air Pollution Particles Hitch A Ride On Red Blood Cells, Into Major Organs, Study Says

Key Takeaways

Particles from air pollution stick to red blood cells

That’s how the particles infiltrate major organs like the heart and brain

Face masks can prevent inhalation of the particles, researchers found

MONDAY, Oct. 6, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The tiny particles inhaled from air pollution stick to our red blood cells, hitching a ride to do damage throughout our bodies, a new small-scale study says.

These particles — produced by motor vehicles and industrial emissions — recently have been found in the brain and the heart, where they are linked to increased risk of disease, researchers said.

The new study provides the first glimpse into how those particles work their way into people’s major organs, according to findings published recently in the journal ERJ Open Research .