Breast Cancer peril: Microplastics lurk everywhere, creating Health danger

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A new study shows that 400 plastics can increase the chances of breast cancer. The scientific paper supporting the conclusion is titled “Why the UN Treaty on Plastics Can Reduce Early Onset Cancers.” The primary conclusion of the research is that “We recognize the multidimensional importance of the UN Treaty to reduce plastic pollution. Here we argue that the treaty could specifically have a major impact on reducing breast cancer globally.”

In detail, most data used let researchers examine breast cancer-relevant chemicals (BCRCs) in food, water, and consumer products. A closer look shows that phthalates, parabens, and aromatic amines are among these and can be found in food packaging and healthcare products.

Breast cancer is not the only health risk of plastics. There is proof that plastics are found throughout the food chain, increasing exposure to body parts, including the cardiovascular, digestive tract, and brain. Heart disease, in particular, has been mentioned as having a high-risk factor.

Dangerous chemicals
The Guardian reports, “The chemicals identified either cause mammary tumors in animal studies, affect hormone synthesis, are genotoxic or present some combination of each pathway to breast cancer.”

The question is whether the amount of plastic created yearly can be lowered. About 400 million tons of plastic are wasted each year, much of which affects the environment. Based on this volume, a solution to the problem is unlikely.