Tiny plastic particles may be present in the air we inhale, prompting experts to express concerns regarding their potential health implications. Researchers indicate that deteriorating car tires and decaying waste are contributing to the release of microplastics into the environment, which may be associated with infertility, colon cancer, and respiratory problems.

Microplastics, which are found in products such as cosmetics, toothpaste, food packaging, and clothing, have already raised health alarms. Recent studies indicate that these tiny fragments, smaller than a grain of rice, could harm cells, induce inflammation, and disrupt gut microbiota.

Rising plastic pollution and its health risks

Following an analysis of 3,000 studies, researchers from UC San Francisco (UCSF) have raised concerns that microplastics may adversely affect reproductive, digestive, and respiratory health, potentially linking them to colon and lung cancers. "Microplastics are essentially particulate matter air pollution, and we already know this type of pollution is harmful," stated Tracey J. Woodruff, the senior author of the study and a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at UCSF.

Research suggests that global plastic production could reach 1.1 billion metric tons by the year 2050. The research team reports that companies worldwide currently produce nearly 460 million metric tons of plastic each year, a figure expected to rise to 1.1 billion by 2050. Microplastics are classified into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics, such as microbeads found in cosmetics, are intentionally created for specific functions like exfoliation. In contrast, secondary microplastics are generated from the degradation of larger plastic items over time.

What UCSF researchers discovered

The researchers at UCSF have identified that the wear and tear of car tires due to road friction is a significant source of airborne plastic particles. Consequently, humans may inhale or ingest these microplastics, with studies estimating that Americans consume approximately 39,000 to 52,000 particles each year.

Microplastics have been detected in various human tissues and fluids, including placentas, lungs, liver, urine, breast milk, and blood. The research indicated a "high" level of evidence connecting microplastics to diminished sperm quality, testicular complications, and compromised immune function. Additionally, it revealed "moderate" evidence of adverse effects on ovarian follicles, reproductive hormones, as well as the colon, small intestine, and respiratory function.

Read Also: Rebel Wilson's Weight Loss Secret: How Working Out Like a 'Maniac' Transformed Her Body