🚨 “These findings scare me, and I hope they scare other people too,” warns Professor Dr. Lukas Kenner. 🚨
After years of research on how plastic impacts cancer formation, cancer researcher and deputy director of the Clinical Institute of Pathology at the Medical University of Vienna – Professor Dr. Lukas Kenner – reveals a chilling discovery: cancer cells spread faster and more aggressively after ingesting nanoplastics.
The problem? Nanoplastics are everywhere 🌍 – in the food we eat 🍽️, the air we breathe 🌬️, the liquids we consume 💧, and even the clothes we wear 👕. They've been found deep inside the human body.
Prof. Dr. Lukas Kenner takes a closer look at how nanoplastics interact with the human body, specifically their effect on cancer cells. Not only are plastics absorbed by these cells, but they also cause faster spread and more aggressive cancer growth. How can we prevent this growing threat?
Where are these plastics coming from? 🌱
Textiles - 👚
Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon shed microplastics during washing and wearing. A single wash can release over 700,000 fibers, contributing significantly to microplastic pollution.
Containers and Packaging - 🥤📦
Studies found that 93% of bottled water samples were contaminated with microplastics, with concentrations averaging 325 particles per liter. Some studies detected up to 240,000 particles per liter.
Cosmetics - 💄🧴
Many personal care products contain microbeads made from plastics like polyethylene. Despite bans, harmful plastics like acrylate copolymers continue to be used, contributing to water pollution.
Fishing Industry - 🎣
Discarded or lost fishing gear, such as nets and lines, contributes to marine microplastic pollution. Studies show high levels of microplastic contamination in fish, leading to concerns about bioaccumulation in the food chain.
Car Tires - 🚗
As car tires wear down, they release microplastics into the environment. Tire wear and tear is a significant source of microplastics, contributing to pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Manufacturing - 🏭
Raw plastic pellets, used in manufacturing, can spill into the environment during production and transportation. Efforts like Operation Clean Sweep® Europe aim to reduce pellet loss.
Kenner’s findings are the first to be highlighted in “Scientists Speak Out,” a new series that spotlights scientists and their latest, cutting-edge research into the hidden impact of micro and nanoplastics on our health. This series was created by Resilient Foundation and Plastic Soup Foundation, in collaboration with A Plastic Planet and Plastic Health Council, to make this critical research accessible to policy-makers and the public can be watched at WaterBear Network
The report can be read here: https://lnkd.in/eyX4FFTN
#Nanoplastics #Microplastics #ScientistsSpeakOut #PlasticPollution #PlasticCancer
