People diagnosed with lung cancer are more likely to have microplastics in their lungs, and in greater quantities, than people without the disease, according to new research.
The research involved 100 people undergoing a bronchoscopy to investigate lung symptoms at University Hospital of Larissa in Greece. Half were subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer and half were not.
During the procedure, researchers collected samples by washing parts of the lungs with saline solution. In 50 patients, they also collected a small sample of lung tissue. The samples were then examined for microplastics and, in some cases, analysed to identify the types of plastic present.
A total of 232 microplastic particles were detected across the samples. Overall, 70% of patients had detectable microplastics in at least one sample.
When the researchers compared the two groups, people with lung cancer were more likely to have detectable microplastics and had a higher overall burden of the particles. Microplastics were found in lung-wash samples from 66% of cancer patients, compared with 46% of those without cancer.
The researchers also found that microplastics were not evenly distributed throughout the lungs. People with higher levels in their lung-wash samples tended to have lower levels in corresponding tissue samples, and vice versa. This suggests that particles may be retained differently in different parts of the lungs.
Polypropylene and polyethylene were the most commonly identified plastics. Both are widely used in everyday products, including packaging, textiles and household goods.
Dr Ilias Dimeas, from University College Dublin School of Medicine and the University of Thessaly, said: ‘Our results suggest that inhaled microplastics can be found in the human lung more frequently than many people may realise. This adds to the growing evidence that reducing environmental plastic pollution may have benefits that extend beyond ecosystems and into human health.
‘This type of study doesn’t tell us why we found more microplastics in the samples from lung cancer patients. Microplastics could contribute to inflammation or other biological processes that may contribute to diseases like cancer, but it is also possible that diseased lungs simply retain particles differently than healthy lungs.
‘What it does show is that microplastics were found more often and in greater numbers in patients with lung cancer, which raises important questions for future research. We have already begun more laboratory experiments to better understand the types of plastics involved and how they may interact with lung cells.’
Professor Barbara Hoffmann is Chair of the European Respiratory Society’s Advocacy Council, based at the University of Düsseldorf, Germany, who was not involved in the research, said: ‘Smoking remains by far the biggest cause of lung cancer. Air pollution is now also known to cause lung cancer and contribute to many other lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD.
‘Research on the health effects of microplastics is still at a very early stage, but we are starting to realise that these tiny pieces of plastic are infiltrating many parts of the body. This study adds to evidence that we are breathing microplastics in via the air and they are lodging in our lungs. We need more research to fully understand their potential role in lung diseases, including cancer.’
Photo: kalhh
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