Saturday, September 28, 2024

Microplastics in Everyday Life: From Chewing Gum to Human Prostate Tissue

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Harmful Microplastics (YouTube link)

Chewing Gum: A New Source of Microplastic Exposure


Plastic has become an unavoidable part of daily life, embedded in everyday items like cutting boards, clothing, and cleaning sponges. These products can shed tiny, micrometer-wide plastic particles known as microplastics (MPs), exposing people to them in ways they may not even realize. Now, researchers have uncovered yet another unexpected source—chewing gum.

In a recent pilot study,[3] scientists found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva, where they may ultimately be ingested. This discovery highlights how even seemingly harmless habits can contribute to human exposure to these tiny plastic particles, raising new questions about their potential health effects.

Microplastics in Human Prostate Tissue


In a 2024 study,[1] researchers explored the presence and characteristics of microplastics in human prostate tissues, aiming to uncover potential connections between microplastic accumulation and prostate cancer. Researchers utilized LDIR, SEM and Py–GC/MS techniques to identify and quantify MPs in the prostate samples.

The investigation focused on both tumor tissues and para-tumor (adjacent non-cancerous tissues), recognizing that the impact of microplastics on prostate health remains poorly understood.

Findings

  • Microplastic Presence: Microplastics, including polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were found in both para-tumor and tumor prostate tissues. Polystyrene (PS) was detected only in tumor tissues.
  • Size and Shape: Microplastic particles ranged from 20–100 μm. Para-tumor tissues had 31.58% of particles in the 20–30 μm range, while tumor tissues had 35.21% in the 50–100 μm range. Irregular shapes were predominant.
  • Abundance: Microplastic concentrations were higher in tumor tissues (mean 290.3 μg/g) than in para-tumor tissues (mean 181.0 μg/g). Among 11 targeted polymer types, only polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and PVC were detected, with PS, PE, and PVC showing significantly higher abundance in tumor tissues compared to para-tumor tissues.
  • Correlations: A positive correlation was found between polystyrene abundance in tumor tissues and the frequency of take-out food consumption.

Summary


The findings suggest that microplastics may accumulate in the prostate and could be associated with prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms and processes responsible for the presence of MPs in human tumor systems remain unknown. Future studies are necessary to better understand the dynamic interplay and potential causal connections between MPs and prostate health over time.

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