New Research Finds Microplastics in 90% of Prostate Cancer Tumors
Tiny fragments of plastic are turning up where no one expected them: inside prostate tumors. Credit: Shutterstock
The Research Findings
A new study is adding to the growing body of research showing just how widespread microplastics have become inside the human body.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health analyzed prostate tissue from patients undergoing surgery and found microplastic particles in 90% of the cancerous tumors they examined. The study also reported higher concentrations of microplastics in tumor tissue compared to nearby non-cancerous tissue.
Researchers emphasize that this was a small pilot study, and more research is needed to understand what these findings mean. The study does not show that microplastics cause cancer. Instead, it raises new questions about long-term exposure and how plastic particles interact with the body.
Why This Matters
Microplastics are created when everyday plastic materials break down into tiny fragments. These particles can enter our bodies through food, water, and air, and researchers are increasingly studying how they may influence inflammation, hormone function, and overall health.
As more studies continue to detect microplastics in human tissue, scientists are working to better understand the potential long-term effects of constant exposure and what steps people can take to reduce it.
At CLEANR, we believe awareness is the first step toward reducing microplastic exposure at the source.
About CLEANR
CLEANR builds best-in-class microplastic filters for washing machines that effortlessly remove the largest source of microplastics into the environment. Its technology, VORTX, represents a breakthrough in filtration, with a patent-pending design that is inspired by nature and proven to outperform conventional filtration technologies by over 300%. The company is building a platform filter technology that enables product manufacturers and business customers to materially reduce their microplastic emissions from impacted in-bound and out-bound fluid streams, including residential and commercial washing machine wastewater, in-home water systems, wastewater treatment, textile manufacturing effluents, industrial wastewater, and other sources. www.cleanr.life
Sources
SciTechDaily. (2026). 90% of prostate cancer tumors contained microplastics. https://scitechdaily.com/90-of-prostate-cancer-tumors-contained-microplastics/
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