People with lung cancer have more microplastics in their lungs
People with lung cancer carry a higher burden of microplastics in their lungs than healthy controls.
A cohort study of 100 patients undergoing bronchoscopy found that 70% had detectable microplastics, with 66% of lung‑cancer patients and 46% of non‑cancer controls having them in lung wash. Cancer patients carried a heavier overall microplastic load, mainly polypropylene and polyethylene.
Microplastics have been implicated in inflammation and carcinogenesis; a greater pulmonary load may contribute to lung‑cancer progression or reflect altered pulmonary clearance.
Evidence level: Sejtvonalas. Laboratóriumi sejtekben vizsgálták.