Plastic pollution-Microplastics: Cancer related issues

Kolkar, Kiran P. and Malabadi, Ravindra B. and Chalannavar, Raju K. and Divakar, MS and Swathi, Swathi and Karamchand, Kishore S. and Munhoz, Antonia Neidilê Ribeiro (2025) Plastic pollution-Microplastics: Cancer related issues. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 22 (3). pp. 329-336. ISSN 2582-5542

Microplastics are now a global issue due to increased plastic production and use. Recently, various studies have been performed in response to the human health risk assessment. Due to their small size and wide distribution, microplastics are almost ubiquitous and can be easily ingested by organisms into the digestive system and then into the blood system. Microplastics have been reported as a new environmental pollutant due to their increased production and extremely low natural biodegradation in the ecosystem. Microplastic can accumulate within the body, increasing the risk of tis¬sue damage, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. This risk is attributed to the induction of immune responses such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and necrosis in the liver, intestines, brain, and other organs. Microplastic can lead to the proliferation of tumor cells and on the other hand causing damage to normal skin cells, indicating the potential harm caused by microplastics to skin tissues and cells. Recent study demonstrated for the first time the effect of microplastics on human breast and skin cancer. Bioplastics, which are both functionally similar to synthetic plastics and environmentally sustainable, are considered as promising new materials to address these problems.