A recent study conducted at New York University explored the potential role of microplastics in the development of prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Microplastics—microscopic fragments derived from plastics found in food packaging, cosmetics, and other everyday products—can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Previous studies have detected microplastics in nearly all organs, bodily fluids, and even the placenta, but their impact on human health is not yet fully understood.
By analyzing prostate tissue from 10 surgical patients, researchers found plastic particles in 90% of tumor samples and 70% of benign tissue samples. The concentration in tumors was 2.5 times higher than in healthy tissue (approximately 40 micrograms per gram versus 16).
The study’s authors, led by Dr. Stacy Loeb, highlight that this is the first Western study to measure microplastics in prostate tumors and compare them directly with noncancerous tissue. The analyses were conducted with strict precautions to avoid contamination, replacing plastic instruments with alternative materials and performing tests in dedicated clean rooms.
Researchers hypothesize that microplastics may promote cancer through chronic inflammation, which over time can damage cells and trigger genetic mutations. However, the study involved a small number of patients, and larger studies will be needed to confirm these findings.
The authors emphasize the importance of stricter regulatory measures to reduce public exposure to microplastics, which are pervasive in the environment.
