A recent study reveals that microplastics in the air can cause lung and colon cancer, highlighting new health risks linked to environmental pollution.
Tl;dr
- A new study warns of the health risks linked to microplastics in the air.
- Microplastics can cause lung and colon cancers.
- Governments are called to act to reduce exposure to microplastics.
Microplastics, a health hazard
A recent study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, is sounding the alarm about the health risks of microplastics in the air. In 2019, plastic production reached 460 million tonnes, a figure that is expected to triple by 2060, increasing the amount of microplastics in the environment.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are plastic particles of varying sizes, ranging from 5 millimeters to 1 nanometer. They are omnipresent in our environment, mainly due to the wear of tires which, by rubbing against the ground, release fragments of plastic into the air.
Adverse effects on health
According to this study, which reviewed around 3,000 other studies, exposure to microplastics can have serious consequences on human health.
Harmful effects identified include fertility problems in men and women, colon cancers, poor lung function, and chronic lung inflammation that can increase the risk of lung cancer.
Call for action from governments
Researchers are calling for immediate intervention by governments at all levels (federal, state and local) to limit exposure to microplastics. «
“We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of the dangers of microplastics, including colon and lung cancer. We hope state leaders will take immediate action to prevent further exposures”said Nicholas Chartres, lead author of the study.
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