The presence of microplastics within the human body has raised significant concerns about their potential health implications. Numerous studies have supported the hypothesis that the accumulation of microplastics can trigger inflammatory responses, disrupt the microbiome, and provoke immune reactions due to their physicochemical properties. Chronic inflammation, characterized by tissue damage, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, plays a crucial role in cancer development. It influences cancer progression by altering the tumor microenvironment and impairing immune surveillance, thus promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review explores the fundamental properties and bioaccumulation of microplastics, as well as their potential role in the transition from chronic inflammation to carcinogenesis. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the associated alterations in signaling pathways, microbiota disturbances, and immune responses. Despite this, the current understanding of the toxicity and biological impacts of microplastics remains limited. To mitigate their harmful effects on human health, there is an urgent need to improve the detection and removal methods for microplastics, necessitating further research and elucidation.
Something like 30% of microplastics in our water comes from washing synthetic clothes. These tiny fibers pass through water treatment plants, which aren’t equipped to filter them, and end up in rivers, oceans, and even back in our homes. It’s a huge issue, and there is a need for better filtration and sustainable alternatives to cut down on microplastic pollution. I’ve seen filter you can add to residential washing machines to cut down on this, but I’m not sure what you do with the fiber filled filters once they need to be replaced.
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Abstract
The presence of microplastics within the human body has raised significant concerns about their potential health implications. Numerous studies have supported the hypothesis that the accumulation of microplastics can trigger inflammatory responses, disrupt the microbiome, and provoke immune reactions due to their physicochemical properties. Chronic inflammation, characterized by tissue damage, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, plays a crucial role in cancer development. It influences cancer progression by altering the tumor microenvironment and impairing immune surveillance, thus promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review explores the fundamental properties and bioaccumulation of microplastics, as well as their potential role in the transition from chronic inflammation to carcinogenesis. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the associated alterations in signaling pathways, microbiota disturbances, and immune responses. Despite this, the current understanding of the toxicity and biological impacts of microplastics remains limited. To mitigate their harmful effects on human health, there is an urgent need to improve the detection and removal methods for microplastics, necessitating further research and elucidation.
Something like 30% of microplastics in our water comes from washing synthetic clothes. These tiny fibers pass through water treatment plants, which aren’t equipped to filter them, and end up in rivers, oceans, and even back in our homes. It’s a huge issue, and there is a need for better filtration and sustainable alternatives to cut down on microplastic pollution. I’ve seen filter you can add to residential washing machines to cut down on this, but I’m not sure what you do with the fiber filled filters once they need to be replaced.
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