Study finds higher levels of microplastics in lungs of cancer patients

A study linking lung cancer to the presence of microplastics in respiratory tissue will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Researchers report that individuals diagnosed with lung cancer are significantly more likely to have detectable microplastics in their lungs, and that the amount of these particles is greater than in non‑cancerous counterparts.

The findings, derived from analyses of lung tissue samples collected from patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, suggest a possible association between inhaled microplastic particles and malignant lung disease. While the study does not establish causality, the authors emphasize the need for further investigation into environmental pollutant exposure as a factor in lung carcinogenesis and for assessing the broader public health implications of airborne microplastics.