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Microplastics in Air: A Growing Health Concern
Recent research from UC San Francisco has highlighted the alarming connection between microplastics and air pollution, suggesting these tiny particles may be linked to respiratory ailments and other medical conditions.
According to a review encompassing around 3,000 studies, microplastics are associated with various serious health risks. These issues potentially include infertility in both men and women, colon cancer, and diminished lung function. Additionally, prolonged exposure to these particles may result in chronic pulmonary inflammation, which could elevate the chances of developing lung cancer.
Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, MPH, a professor specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at UCSF, emphasizes the danger posed by microplastics. “These microplastics effectively constitute a form of particulate matter air pollution, and we are well aware of the negative health impacts linked to such pollution,” she stated.
Woodruff leads the Program on Reproductive Health & the Environment (PRHE) and is the senior author of the study, which was published on December 18 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Understanding Microplastics
Small particles, significant danger
Microplastics, defined as particles smaller than 5 millimeters—smaller than a grain of rice—are extensively present in our environment. Currently, global plastic production stands at nearly 460 million metric tons annually, with estimates indicating this could increase to 1.1 billion metric tons by 2050.
One of the primary contributors to airborne plastic pollution is vehicular traffic. The friction generated as tires wear down on road surfaces releases plastic debris into the atmosphere.
A Comprehensive Review
The recent paper is noted as the first systematic review of microplastics to utilize methodologies endorsed by the National Academy of Sciences. While the majority of the research analyzed focused on animal subjects, the researchers believe that the implications are likely applicable to humans due to shared exposure routes.
This study builds upon previous work conducted in collaboration with the California State Policy Evidence Consortium (CalSPEC), which convenes experts from various disciplines within the UC system to inform health policy in the California State Legislature.
Call to Action
“We strongly encourage regulatory agencies and policymakers to acknowledge the mounting evidence regarding the health risks posed by microplastics, including their links to colon and lung cancers,” stated Nicholas Chartres, PhD, the study’s first author. Now at the University of Sydney, Chartres led the science and policy team at PRHE. “We aim for immediate legislative action to mitigate further exposure to these harmful particles.”
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