According to some estimates, about 2 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 2024 alone.
It isn’t the sheer number of those who were diagnosed with cancer that has scientists concerned, it has gone up considerably in recent years. Some of the reasons why this may be the case include diet and lifestyle choices along with genetics. Honestly, scientists didn’t have a reason, but they do now.
In California, researchers said that an individual being exposed to microplastics may play a part and the increase in colon and lung cancer. They referred to it as playing a ‘suspected’ role in the disease.
There study was published in ACS Publications Environmental Science & Technology, which said, in part: “We concluded that exposure to microplastics is ‘suspected’ to adversely impact the colon and small intestine in humans.”
Microplastics also were considered to be suspect because of the chronic inflammation they can cause and how they damage the immune system.
The study also said: “Across the outcomes, we identified that exposure to microplastics is ‘suspected’ to be a digestive hazard to humans, including a suspected link to colon cancer, using the key characteristics of carcinogens approach.”
That study went on to say that microplastics can have an impact on fertility, both in men and women. The particles are micro-56 can cause inflammation in the airways, making it more likely for someone to develop lung cancer.
The study continued: “Across the outcomes, we identified that exposure to microplastics is ‘suspected’ to be a digestive hazard to humans, including a suspected link to colon cancer, using the key characteristics of carcinogens approach.
“Due to their small size, microplastics more easily enter and are distributed in the human body in comparison to larger particles; microplastics have been measured in human placenta, breastmilk, and live.”
A professor of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences, Tracey J. Woodruff is the lead author of the study. She said: “These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know this type of air pollution is harmful.”
This can be an important thing to consider for many companies that produce massive amounts of plastics every year.