Investigation of MP Pollution in the Human Respiratory System and Its Relationship to Lung Cancer

Investigation of Microplastic Pollution in the Human Respiratory System and Its Relationship to Lung Cancer

This project will study and characterize Microplastic (MP) burden in the lungs of patients undergoing Bronchoalveolar Levage (BAL) in thoracic clinics at Moffitt.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English or Spanish-speaking patients scheduled for bronchoscopy/bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in thoracic clinics at Moffitt.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a known prior history of lung cancer or that have undergone a Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) procedure at any time in the past in the involved lung targeted for BAL.
• Patients that have had any prior lung or thoracic or surgeries or procedures (examples: removal of lung or portions of the involved lung (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, wedge resection/segmentectomy).
• Patients with specimens that are considered to be non-adequate as true Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) (i.e., absence of alveolar macrophages) after pathologist's evaluation will be excluded from the study.