As of: March 25, 2024, 2:07 p.m
By: Jasmina Deshmeh
Comments
Press
Split
Microplastics pollute the environment and human health.
It may even be a catalyst for tumors, a study shows.
Micro- and nanoplastics are becoming increasingly widespread in the environment and are also consumed by people through foods such as fish, seafood and mineral water.
Researchers have long been interested in the damage it causes to the human body.
Now scientists from Germany and Austria have found evidence that the fine plastic particles could play a role in cancer.
Microplastics and colon cancer: Plastic particles are passed on during cell division
People primarily absorb microplastics through their intestines.
A study now shows that it could promote the growth of tumors (symbolic image).
© Shotshop/Imago
The study led by Verena Pichler and Lukas Kenner (Medical University of Vienna) was about the importance of microplastics in metastatic tumors.
The experts were able to prove that tiny plastic particles that people absorb primarily through the intestines are not broken down in colon cancer cells, but are passed on to daughter cells.
The scientists published their research results in the journal
Chemospheres
.
Don't miss anything: You can find everything about health in the regular newsletter from our health experts at 24vita.de.
Microplastics enter the human body through breathing and food.
Researchers have even been able to detect them in breast milk.
According to estimates, five grams of microplastics end up in the gastrointestinal tract every week, according to the website of the
Medical University of Vienna
.
This corresponds to the weight of a credit card.
The research team examined how microplastics and various colon cancer cells interact.
It was shown that the plastic particles penetrate the cells, are deposited there and are absorbed into cell organelles, the lysosomes.
Lysosomes are essentially the “stomach of the cell” and normally break down foreign bodies.
But not the microplastic: it is passed on to newly formed cells and could even increase the metastasis formation of tumors by promoting the migration of cancer cells to other areas of the body.
Microplastics and colon cancer: the smaller, the more dangerous
Very small plastic items that are smaller than one micrometer (1 µm = 0.001 mm) were found to be particularly harmful.
They are also known as nanoparticles and are particularly common in water bottles.
“Against the background of the ubiquity of plastics in the environment and the ongoing exposure of humans to even the smallest plastic particles, further studies are urgently needed to investigate long-term effects in particular,” says study author Lukas Kenner in a press release.
Colleague Verena Pichler adds: “It can be assumed that MNP (editor’s note: microplastics) causes chronic toxicity.”
My news
On Princess Victoria's name day: Prince Oscar steals the show
Unusual event: 25,000 people wait in St. Peter's Square - Pope foregoes reading sermons
The wave of bankruptcies continues: cult beverage manufacturer is insolvent
Skoda's novelty with a combustion engine impresses fans - read “It's sustainable”.
Seriously injured ski jumping ace with devastating bedside diagnosis
Motorcyclist from Munich has to return on foot - and takes out anger on construction yard employees
Microplastics: How can you protect yourself?
The fact that microplastics end up in our food can hardly be avoided, as the air, soil and water are contaminated with them almost everywhere on earth, as the
German Food Association
informs.
According to a study by the
Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology,
it comes primarily from tire abrasion, construction activities, weathering processes and fiber abrasion (wearing and washing fleece and polyester clothing and carpets).
Politicians are reacting gradually and have decided on the first bans on microplastics.
Since October 2023, the fine plastic particles in loose glitter and microbeads have been banned in washing scrubs.
In addition, microplastics are to be banned in detergents, fertilizers, toys and pharmaceutical products in the future, as
NDR
reports.
If you follow the following tips, you can help reduce microplastics:
Avoid cosmetics, detergents and cleaning products with “polyethylene” in the list of ingredients
Do not use microfiber cloths
If possible, avoid buying cosmetics in plastic packaging; use solid shampoo and soap
Buy natural cosmetics or cosmetics with seals such as “Blue Angel”, “Ecolabel” or the designation “microplastic-free”.
Replace disposable bottles with glass bottles
Recycle plastic, pay attention to waste separation
If possible, avoid buying synthetic clothing or wash it as rarely as possible
Whenever possible, leave the car parked
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.