Callum Jones
Scientists have revealed they may have discovered what's causing the unexplained rise in cancer cases across the world.
In 2024, it was estimated around two million people were diagnosed with cancer in the US, a figure that's increased sharply in recent years.
Some of the possible cause of many of these cancers for which genetics, diet and lifestyle cannot explain has left scientists stumped... until now.
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Ultimately, Californian researchers concluded that an individual being exposed to microplastics is 'suspected' to play a role with the increase in colon and even lung cancer.
The study, which was published in ACS Publications Environmental Science & Technology, earlier this month stated: "We concluded that exposure to microplastics is 'suspected' to adversely impact the colon and small intestine in humans."
On top of that, microplastics are 'suspected' of causing chronic inflammation and damaging the immune system.
"Across the outcomes, we identified that exposure to microplastics is 'suspected' to be a digestive hazard to humans, including a suspected link to colon cancer, using the key characteristics of carcinogens approach," the study added.
The study also found that microplastics can impact fertility, damage sperm count in men and impact the ovaries and placenta in women.
Particles from these microplastics can also cause inflammation in the airways, which can increase the risk of someone developing lung cancer.
The researchers added: "Microplastics are widespread and mobile in the environment, being detected in air, surface water, costal beaches, sediment, and food.
"They have been discovered in remote and pristine locations, including the Antarctic, deep ocean trenches, and Arctic sea ice.
"Due to their small size, microplastics more easily enter and are distributed in the human body in comparison to larger particles; microplastics have been measured in human placenta, breastmilk, and live."
Tracey J. Woodruff, a professor of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences and senior author on the study, added: "These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know this type of air pollution is harmful."
Such findings will hopefully be a wake up call for many companies across the globe who produce mass amounts of plastics every single year.
Heck, nearly 460million metric tons of plastic was produced last year, a figure that is expected to increase to 1.1 billion by 2050.
Nicholas Chartres, the study's first author, said: "We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer."