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What are microplastics?

¡®Microplastics¡¯ is a general word describing small plastic particles. These microplastics are usually under 5 millimeters.

Primary microplastics are manufactured for use in everything from microbeads in toothpaste to synthetic fibers in clothing.

Secondary microplastics are created when larger plastic items break down. Plastic can be broken down in many ways, including:

• Environmental factors
• Physical forces
• Chemical exposure

How does microplastic get into the body?

Some major sources of microplastic exposure are the:

• Air we breathe
• Food we eat
• Beverages we drink

Smaller microplastics, or nanoplastics, are small enough to enter cells and move around the body. However, even larger microplastics have been found in the bodies of humans and animals. We are still learning exactly how different microplastics enter the body.

Do microplastics affect health?

Research on how microplastics affect human health is still in its early stages.

New evidence suggests that microplastics may be correlated with health conditions, including:

• Chronic degenerative diseases
• Cardiovascular disease
• Inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease

Most studies that explore how microplastics affect health have been done in animal models. These studies show that accumulating microplastics in the body can impact tissue function, damage organs and cause inflammation.

Fewer studies have explored how microplastics affect human health. Existing research has found that microplastics can accumulate in the human brain and can be found in plaque that forms in arteries.

Microplastics can be challenging to detect, which means we don¡¯t yet have standardized, robust methods to study them with. Additionally, ¡®microplastic¡¯ really refers to a universe of different things, each with different properties. For example, microplastics can:

• Be made from dozens of types of polymers
• Come in different shapes
• Include different additives, such as stabilizers and plasticizers (such as phthalates or BPA)
• Be exposed to different environmental factors that can change their properties
• Break down differently

We're trying to understand if the damage is caused by the presence of a physical plastic particle in tissue or chemicals that are leaking from the plastic and attacking the tissue.

Are microplastics linked to cancer risk?

At the moment, there is no direct link or correlation between microplastics and cancer development.

Today, more people worldwide are diagnosed with chronic diseases and cancer. Early onset cancers, including many solid tumors and especially cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, now affect more younger people. This suggests there may be unidentified environmental factors contributing to these changes. It's possible that microplastics are one of those factors.

I am part of a team that is leading one of the first comprehensive investigations into microplastic pollution as a potential contributor to cancer. This work is funded by the MD Anderson ¨C University of Texas at Austin grant. Together, we¡¯re exploring the source of human exposure to microplastics, starting by looking at Texas¡¯ water ecosystem and food supplies. We will then develop the methodologies needed to detect and map microplastics and contaminants in animal and human organ tissue samples. This work will generate the first spatial atlas of tissue alterations associated with microplastics. We will use this atlas to help us understand how microplastics impact organ function and tissue integrity and how they may contribute to cells becoming cancerous. Eventually, we hope to explore whether microplastic exposure can impact a person¡¯s response to cancer therapies.

What should we know about BPA and other plastic additives?

Researchers are learning more about how common plastic additives and contaminants affect the body and cancer risk.

For example, plastic additives like Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates that are commonly used in food packaging are known to be hormone-disruptors. While BPAs are no longer used in baby bottles and formula packaging in the United States, they are still found in packaging like bottles and cans.

It's too early to understand whether all plastic additives have an impact on the biological system. However, reducing your exposure to microplastics likely means reducing your exposure to these chemicals. If you are concerned about BPA exposure, seek out items that are labeled as BPA- or phthalate-free.

Is it possible to remove microplastics from our bodies?

Currently, there are no studies on the fate of physical microplastic particles in tissue.

Our team is interested in studying the fate of microplastics in the body. We want to understand how much microplastic can be absorbed by the gut and how much is excreted. Then, the question is: if you stop microplastic exposure, does your body clear the microplastic over time? While your body may be able to excrete smaller particles, larger particles may accumulate and lead to possible tissue and organ function damage.

How to limit exposure to microplastics and plastic additives

The many unknowns surrounding microplastic exposure can make it confusing to decide how to proceed. Right now, the United States doesn¡¯t have regulations around microplastics. While, ultimately, the world needs to reduce plastic production and limit the amount of plastic waste we generate, there are small actions you can take to limit your microplastic exposure.

For instance, I opt for glass drinkware and food storage containers instead of plastic. If I need to use plastic, I choose options that are BPA- or phthalate-free. Even choosing paper bags or bringing reusable bags to the grocery store is a simple way to decrease plastic use.

Plastic is everywhere, and it's invisible. We have been exposed to plastic and will continue to be exposed. But it¡¯s important to remember that all the plastic we use will end up in the landfill and eventually in our environment and within us. To have an impact on future generations, we need to limit plastic production and use and reduce plastic waste.

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