Scientists have discovered that individuals with lung cancer have higher levels of microplastics in their lung fluid compared to those without the disease, according to a study published by the European Respiratory Society. The research involved 50 patients with lung cancer in Greece and found that their lung fluid contained 20 percent more microplastics. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, often less than five millimeters in size, that form when larger plastic items break down. These particles have been found in the environment, such as in oceans and air, and even inside the human body, including in the placenta. The study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that microplastics are entering the human body through the air. Dr. Ilias Dimeas, a respiratory physician at University College Dublin School of Medicine, noted that the findings suggest inhaled microplastics may be more common in the lungs than previously believed. He highlighted that reducing plastic pollution in the environment could offer health benefits beyond protecting ecosystems. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with nearly 125,000 expected deaths in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society. While the study suggests that microplastics may contribute to inflammation or other processes linked to cancer, it also notes that diseased lungs might retain microplastic particles differently than healthy lungs. Other recent research has found associations between microplastics and lung and colon cancers, as well as their presence in prostate cancer tumors. However, the American Cancer Society states that there is currently not enough evidence to determine whether microplastics cause cancer or how they affect human health. Keshav Raj Paudel, a senior researcher at the University of Technology Sydney, noted in February that lung cancer tumors contain more microplastics than healthy tissue. Dr. Thejus Jayakrishnan, a gastrointestinal cancer physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, emphasized the need for more research and data to understand the role of microplastics in cancer. Establishing a clear link between microplastics and lung cancer could help in the treatment and prevention of the disease. While smoking remains the primary cause of lung cancer, U.S. smoking rates have reached an all-time low this year.