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Plastic Breath: Microplastics Found in Human Lungs
4 Sep
Summary
- Microplastics detected more often in lung cancer patients.
- Study analyzed 100 patients undergoing bronchoscopy.
- Polypropylene and polyethylene are common plastic types found.
Microplastics, ubiquitous in modern life, have been detected in human lungs, raising concerns about their potential health effects. A study involving 100 patients in Greece found that individuals diagnosed with lung cancer were more likely to have detectable microplastics in their lung samples compared to those without cancer.
The research, which involved analyzing lung-wash and tissue samples collected during bronchoscopies, identified microplastic particles in 70 percent of all participants. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the most common types of plastic found, materials commonly used in everyday products.
Researchers emphasize that this study shows an association and cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between microplastics and lung cancer. Further laboratory and longitudinal studies are planned to investigate how these particles interact with lung cells and potentially contribute to lung disease or scarring.
