Are Microplastics In the Air Putting Your Fertility At Risk?

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Are Microplastics in the Air Putting Your Fertility at Risk?






By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2024 -- Microscopic plastic particles in the air could contribute to various health problems, including lung and colon cancers.

A new review says tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic that become airborne, creating a poorly understood form of air pollution.

“These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know this type of air pollution is harmful,” said researcher Tracey Woodruff, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco.

Researchers said in background notes that microplastics are smaller than 5 millimeters in size than a grain of rice.

Researchers say that companies worldwide produce nearly 460 million tons of plastic yearly, projected to increase to 1.1 billion tons by 2050.

Researchers noted that driving is a significant source of airborne plastic. Tires wear down as they rub against the road surface, sending microplastics into the air.

Researchers analyzed data from about 3,000 prior studies for the review published Dec. 18 in the Environmental Science & Technology journal.

The results showed that airborne microplastics can contribute to cancer, lung problems, and infertility.

Although most of the studies in the review used animals, researchers said the conclusions likely also apply to humans.

“We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer,” lead researcher Nicholas Chartres, a senior research fellow with the University of Sydney, said in a UCSF news release. “We hope state leaders will take immediate action to prevent further exposures.”

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