Microplastics can cause malignant changes in lung cells

Microplastics can cause malignant changes in lung cells

meduniwien.ac.at

Researchers at MedUni Vienna have uncovered that inhaled polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) can sneak into healthy lung cells and kick off a cascade of cancer-like changes. In lab tests, these tiny particles (about 0.00025 mm) were gobbled up by non-malignant cells much more than by already cancerous ones—and triggered increased cell migration, DNA damage, oxidative stress and growth-promoting signals, while also hampering the cells’ DNA repair machinery.

What’s more, even short exposure left healthy cells scrambling to defend themselves with antioxidant responses, whereas lung cancer cells barely blinked. The study flags airborne plastic particles as a possible link to chronic lung disease and cancer, and underscores the urgent need for interdisciplinary research into long-term effects—and for cutting down on plastic waste.