What are microplastics and do they cause cancer?

Key takeaways:

• Microplastics are small fragments made from plastic degradation or industrial processes. Most come from larger plastic items, or some are ingredients in products like paint, cosmetics, clothing and food packaging.
• Research suggests potential links between microplastics and breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. In a recent study, microplastics were found in nine out of 10 patients with prostate cancer.
• You can limit your exposure by avoiding nonstick and plastic cookware, wearing natural fiber clothing, using plastic-free products and transferring filtered water to a glass or non-plastic container.

Whether you are using it to bring your lunch to work, using a bottle of cleaner on your counter or carrying your groceries home in it, plastic is everywhere. Where does it all go when we’re done with it—when we throw it away or recycle?

You may have heard the term “microplastics” in the news, but what exactly are those—and what are their risks?

What are microplastics?

Microplastics, a byproduct of the toxic chemicals used to make plastic, are small fragments less than five millimeters long. They are the result of plastic degradation or industrial processes, and they fail to break down in our environment because of their high molecular weight and chemical stability. Most come from larger plastic items that begin to break down over time, or some are ingredients in products we use, such as paint, cosmetics, clothing and food packaging. (Microplastics may be added, for instance, to keep other ingredients from separating or to improve texture.)

How do they get into my body?

Microplastics can enter the body through the nose, skin and mouth. This can occur through contaminated foods, occupational exposure or inhalation through the air.

Your body gets rid of many microplastics through your lungs, kidneys (urine) and digestive tract (stool). Still, some research suggests tiny particles can remain in the body and may build up over time—which is why scientists are studying what they could mean for health.

Do microplastics cause cancer?

Microplastics have not been classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), but preliminary research suggests that microplastics in your body can trigger inflammation, disrupt lipid metabolism, damage DNA, disrupt gut health and introduce toxic chemicals into your body. This can lead to cancer as well as heart attacks and reproductive problems.

Research suggests potential links between microplastics and breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. In a recent study, microplastics were found in nine out of 10 patients with prostate cancer, and in higher levels inside tumors than in nearby noncancerous tissue.

Scientists don’t know how long they stay in the body or whether some forms are worse than others. Research is currently being conducted on animals in labs—and the body of research is growing. We expect to find more answers about microplastics and their impact on your health as a result. But research on microplastics is hard to conduct; one reason is that many of the tools scientists use in their research are made of or contain plastic themselves (like a test tube), which can mean it’s hard to know when or where microplastics that are found were actually introduced. There are so many kinds of microplastics and ways they can enter your body, making research complicated.

Can you test yourself for microplastics?

No. There are several mail-in kits that can screen your blood or urine, but none have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are also no standardized, FDA-validated methods for detecting microplastics in food.

What can I do to avoid microplastics?

Even making a few small changes can impact your health. Although it is largely impossible to avoid microplastics completely, you can take steps to limit your exposure.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Avoid nonstick and plastic cookware. Instead, use glass or stainless steel. Heat likely increases the chances of microplastics migrating from plastic into food, so do not use plastic containers to store hot food or reheat cold food in the microwave.

• Wear clothes made of natural fibers, like cotton, wool, linen or silk. Synthetic garments, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, fleece or elastane (Spandex) shed millions of tiny plastic particles during wear and washing.

• Use plastic-free cosmetics, cleaning products, and toiletries. Check the ingredients list to determine if something is plastic-free. Ingredients starting with “poly” or containing “acrylates” or “polymer” often indicate plastic.

• Transfer filtered water to a glass or non-plastic container. While some water filters (like a Brita) use filtration and semipermeable membranes to remove microplastics, the plastic container holding the water can shed plastic particles into the liquid over time.

While we need more research to determine how much microplastics play a role in your risk of cancer, try these other healthy habits that are already proven to reduce your risk:

• Know your family health history and get recommended cancer screenings.

• Tránh hoặc hạn chế uống rượu.

• Don’t use tobacco.

• Protect your skin from the sun.

• Eat a plant-based diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, limit red meat and foods high in salt, and cut out processed meats.

• Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active.

• Practice safer sex and avoid risky behaviors.

• Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B.

It may be impossible to eliminate microplastics completely from our lives, but knowing the facts and taking small steps everyday can limit your exposure so you can stay ahead of cancer.