New research comes ahead of INC-4 negotiations in Canada over Global Plastics Treaty
Photo for representation: iStock A new study by a prominent cancer researcher raises concerns about the potential link between plastic exposure and cancer progression. The research suggests microplastics, tiny plastic particles found throughout the environment, could accelerate the spread of cancer cells in humans.
Cancer cells exposed to microplastics exhibited increased migration, potentially allowing them to travel further through the body and establish secondary tumours (metastasis), Lukas Kenner, cancer researcher and deputy director Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, warned in a press statement.
The paper authored by Kenner and others, Microplastics role in cell migration and distribution during cancer cell division, was recently published in journal Science Direct. Notably, the research team also found microplastics persisting within dividing cells, raising concerns about long-term exposure.
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The concerns were raised ahead of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to create an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The INC-4 negotiations will be held in Ottawa, Canada from April 23–30, 2024.
The negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty present a critical opportunity to address the growing plastic pollution crisis and its potential impact on human health.
The authors of the paper found tiny plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometre inside lysosomes, which are structures within cells, of human gastrointestinal cancer cells. These microplastic particles tend to gather in the inactive regions of tumour spheroids, which are cell clusters resembling tumours.
During cell division, these particles are transferred between cells. Additionally, plastic particles measuring 0.25 micrometres appear to enhance cell migration, potentially increasing the likelihood of cancer spreading to other parts of the body, the research highlighted.
Kenner highlighted the vulnerability of unborn children, as microplastics have been detected in the placenta, potentially transferring to embryos. He emphasised the urgency of addressing plastic pollution, stating, “The findings scare me, and I hope it scares other people too.”
The Plastic Health Council — a group of scientists, dedicated to researching the far-reaching impact of micro-, nano-plastics and chemicals on human health and co-founded by nonprofit marine conservation organisation Plastic Soup Foundation and Dutch nonprofit Resilient Foundation — urged policymakers to prioritise human health in the plastics treaty discussions.
The Council advocated for a multifaceted approach to address the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. Central to their recommendations is the goal of reducing plastic production, with an emphasis on minimising the overall quantity of plastic manufactured.
They proposed the eradication of non-essential single-use plastics, advocating for the elimination of unnecessary plastic items in favour of readily available alternatives.
The Council emphasised the importance of mandatory testing of plastic chemicals, aiming to guarantee the absence of harmful substances in plastic production processes.
Moreover, they underscored the necessity of government action to protect public health from the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, with a focus on securing a cleaner and safer environment for future generations.
“The Global Plastics Treaty represents a milestone moment in the trajectory of the plastics crisis. But change will only happen if policymakers remove their heads from the sand and listen to the science,” Maria Westerbos, founder of the Plastic Soup Foundation.
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