Major Study Links Airborne Microplastics to Cancer and Infertility
A thorough analysis of 3,000 studies uncovers significant health risks associated with airborne microplastic particles, including cancer and reproductive complications.
Recent scientific research from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) indicates that tiny plastic particles present in the air we breathe may be elevating instances of lung and colon cancer and causing reproductive harm in both men and women.
An Invisible Danger Indoors
The review featured in the journal Environmental Science & Technology underscores how microscopic plastic particles, emanating from tire degradation and waste, contribute to a hazardous form of air pollution with serious health implications.
The accumulating evidence examined in the study points to a correlation between microplastic exposure and negative health effects across a variety of organisms.
“For instance, microplastics increase the vulnerability of fish and seabirds to infections,” the authors observed. “They have also been shown to accumulate in organs, leading to biological alterations, including oxidative stress and inflammation in human cell lines,” they added.
Moreover, the researchers highlighted that microplastics can gather in organs, resulting in biological modifications such as oxidative stress and inflammation within human cell lines.
Related Stories
Microplastics represent a crucial health hazard, particularly regarding cancer risk, as stated in the systematic review. They can initiate chronic inflammation by elevating the levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body, and this ongoing inflammation can harm cells and facilitate tumor development.
Additionally, microplastics contribute to oxidative stress, which can overwhelm the body’s defensive mechanisms and damage DNA, according to the authors. They can also disrupt vital cellular functions, impede cell proliferation and apoptosis, weaken the immune system’s capability to combat cancer, and disturb hormone regulation.
Importantly, studies have linked microplastic exposure to negative cardiovascular and respiratory health impacts, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal issues, reproductive complications, and various cancers in humans.
Ubiquitous in Our Environment
Microplastics, classified as particles smaller than 5 millimeters, are prevalent in our environment and increasingly concerning, with yearly global plastic production approaching 460 million metric tons and projected to reach 1.1 billion metric tons by 2050. The UCSF researchers highlighted that a substantial portion of airborne microplastic pollution stems from the wear and tear of tires as vehicles operate, generating tire debris that enters the atmosphere.
“This study is the first systematic review of microplastics conducted using rigorous methods endorsed by the National Academy of Sciences,” the researchers emphasized.
Microplastics have been found in maternal amniotic fluid, the placenta, and saline solutions used for nasal irrigation. The types of microplastics identified included a variety of polymers in two studies, such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorinated polyethylene, and polyamide, among others.
Study Enhances Previous Research
While most studies included in this review were performed on animals, the researchers argue that their conclusions are likely applicable to humans due to similar exposure routes.
“We implore regulatory bodies and policymakers to heed the mounting evidence of health dangers posed by microplastics, including colon and lung cancer,” urged Nicholas Chartres, lead author of the UCSF study, in the press release. “We hope that state leaders will act swiftly to diminish further exposure.”
