Microplasty in the lungs: New study warns of the risk of cancer!
Microplasty in the lungs: New study warns of the risk of cancer!
Wien, Österreich - Research on microplastics and its effects on human health absorbs speed. The latest results show worrying connections between microplastics, in particular polystyrene, and the risk of cancer development in lung cells. These findings come from a study by the Medical University of Vienna, which was published in the journal Journal of Hazardous Materials . Researchers examined the interaction of polystyrene micro and nanoplasty particles (PS-MNPs) with different types of lung cells, noticing that healthy lung cells with a diameter of only 0.00025 mm were taken more than malignant cancer cells. This indicates a potential risk from microplastics, which occurs in many everyday products such as food packaging and coffee-to-go cups.
The incoming analysis showed several critical biological changes in healthy lung cells after contact with PS-MNPs. These included DNA damage, oxidative stress and increased cell migration, all of which are considered early indicators for the development of tumors. According to the study director Karin Schelch, the cells show a reduced ability to repair DNA damage that has arisen, while malignant lung cells remained comparatively unaffected under the same conditions. Research thus raises new questions about the connection between plastic pollution and chronic lung diseases as well as cancer.
The role of the lungs as entry path
The lungs are an important access for microplastics that is inhaled from the air. So far, little was known about the interaction between microplastics and lung cells, but these study results clarify that healthy cells react worrying. Short -term exposure to microplastics could therefore influence healthy lung cells in the direction of malignant changes, which highlights urgent need for action.
In addition, it is emphasized that interdisciplinary research between environmental medicine and cancer biology is necessary to clarify the long-term consequences of the MNP load on the lungs. This demand for further research is also supported by various institutions that deal with the risks of microplastics.
research and risk assessment
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has been investigating the topic of microplastics since 2013 and has launched extensive research projects. One goal of these studies was the development of a standard protocol to contaminate mussels with microplastic particles. In laboratory tests, Baltic Sea mussels and oysters were reliably contaminated with plastic particles to explore their effects.
In addition, in vitro studies were carried out for the possible absorption of micro and nanoplastic particles in human cells, including lung cells. These results are of great importance because they address the possibility of exposure to microplastics when visiting the doctor or taking certain medication. Research has also shown that no harmful effects on intestinal tissue or other organs of mice have been determined that have been fed with microplastic particles, but the exposure due to inhalation remains an important field of research.accompanying projects such as the EU-funded program Polyrisk aim to research the risk potential of microplastics and nanoplastic particles. Findings on the way of exposure and the risk assessment could enable new approaches to minimize health risks, especially in a context in which awareness of environmental and health issues is growing.
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| Ort | Wien, Österreich |
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