Hossny Alaws

Dr. Hossny Alaws


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 April 2026 in Journal of Xenobiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SHScott Helgeson
Scott Helgeson
HAHossny Alaws
Hossny Alaws
MIMohamed I. Ibrahim
Mohamed I. Ibrahim
ALAugustine Lee
Augustine Lee
Danielle VleckenDanielle Vlecken
Danielle Vlecken
HBHassan Baig
Hassan Baig
Microplastics may pose health risks, particularly for chronic lung diseases. Clarifying the link between circulating microplastics and pulmonary disease is vital for shaping research and interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether microplastics in peripheral blood are associated with COPD or IPF vs. no lung disease. In this pilot prospective case-control study, participants were grouped as control (n = 10), COPD (n = 9), or IPF (n = 10). Relevant comorbidities and exposures were obtained from records and questionnaires. All underwent standardized blood collection (PlasticTox©). Samples were analyzed for total microplastic concentration, stratified by size (<10 µm, 10–30 µm, 30–70 µm). The primary outcome was to show a difference in total microplastic burden between lung disease and controls. Secondary measures were to determine size-specific concentrations and associations with demographic variables and smoking history. Among 29 participants (median age 70 (IQR 64–80); 14 women (48.3%)), COPD/IPF groups had significantly higher total microplastic concentrations vs. controls (median 26.0 vs. 3.5 particles/100 µL; p < 0.01). Particle burdens <10 µm and 10–30 µm were particularly elevated (both p < 0.01). After adjusting for smoking, only the <10 µm fraction remained independently associated with lung disease (adjusted odds ratio 1.94 (95% CI, 1.23–7.04)). In this pilot exploratory study, individuals with COPD or IPF showed greater circulating microplastic levels than controls. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating, and larger analytically validated studies are needed to clarify directionality, causal mechanisms, contamination control, and the clinical relevance of circulating microplastic burden.