2024-03-28 07:00:04
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles omnipresent in our environment, are causing increasing concern about their impact on human health.
A recent study suggests that these particles may not only persist in the body longer than previously thought, but also contribute to the spread of cancer when found inside tumors. This discovery, although still preliminary, raises important questions about the effects of microplastics on our health.
The study, carried out in the laboratory with cancer cells, examined how microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), particularly those less than 10 micrometers in diameter, can enter and accumulate in cells. These particles come from everyday sources such as bottles d’eau has usage unique and can enter the body by inhalation or ingestion. The results showed that when cancer cells divide, MNPs can be passed from one cell to its next generation without showing signs of elimination. Additionally, cells exposed to MNPs were more mobile, which could facilitate metastasis, the spread of cancer to new locations in the body.
Scientists also discovered that small MNPs accumulate in lysosomes, structures that serve as a system for degrading cellular waste. However, these lysosomes do not degrade MNPs, highlighting the persistence of these particles in the body. This characteristic could be due to the fact that the human body does not have metabolic processes to break down these particles.
Microplastics (blue dots) are inserted and spread throughout the body
Although the study has its limitations, particularly because it was carried out on cancer cells in the laboratory and the microplastics studied differ somewhat from those found in the environment, it represents a signal early warning about the potential dangers of microplastics for human health.
The study authors and other researchers emphasize the need to significantly reduce our consumption of plastics to reduce the potential effects on our health and the environment. They also call for more research into different types and forms of microplastics that more closely resemble those found in our everyday environment.
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