People With Lung Cancer Had Higher Levels of Microplastics in Their Lungs

At a hospital in Greece, 100 patients, being examined for lung issues, underwent a bronchoscopy to examine their airways. Following the procedure, researchers collected fluid from inside each patient's lungs, along with lung tissue, to analyze for microplastics. Out of the examined patients, 50 were later diagnosed with lung cancer, and their samples contained microplastics more frequently and in higher quantities than samples from those without cancer.

The findings will be presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona. Ilias Dimeas, a researcher involved in the study, emphasized the need to understand the potential link between microplastics and disease, given the daily inhalation of these particles. Each participant provided a lung-wash sample, and half of the participants also had a small lung tissue sample removed.

Researchers searched both sample types for microplastics and identified the types of plastic present. Across all samples, the team counted 232 particles, with at least one sample testing positive for microplastics in 70% of the patients. The study revealed that those with cancer were more likely to have microplastics and generally carried more particles, with this pattern persisting when examining the lung-wash results alone.

Microplastics were found in 66% of patients with lung cancer, compared to 46% of those without it. The particles most frequently identified were polypropylene and polyethylene, both common in packaging, textiles, household materials, and other consumer products. While the study doesn't establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights the need for further research into the potential impact of microplastics on human health, particularly in relation to lung cancer, inflammation, and other biological processes.