Research News

In the realm of microplastics research, scientists have now identified multiple avenues of exposure – food, water, air and even clothing – and can also detect particles in human biological samples, which gives the impression that microplastics are both everywhere and inescapable.

Cleveland Clinic researchers are approaching this environmental health question through the lens of human health. By applying basic, translational and clinical research approaches, scientists are gathering evidence the field needs to understand exposure and its potential connections to conditions like bladder cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, among others – as well as what, if anything, people should truly worry about.

Why focus on microplastics now?

Awareness about microplastics emerged from a focus on ocean plastic pollution. Over the last 20 years, scientists have identified more sources of microplastics in spaces and products that people encounter every day: food storage containers, carpet, cosmetics and even tire residue on roadways.

But truly knowing if microplastics pose risks to human health requires more than just identifying that the particles exist. Microplastics research has evolved to focus on how, exactly, microplastics might be causing harm.

“Similar to the way scientists began to look deeper into air pollution to trace its connection to health conditions, we’re seeing the research on microplastics become more sophisticated,” says Maeve MacMurdo, MD, an occupational pulmonologist. “Experimental research has suggested that microplastics may affect the lungs, for example, but we need science-backed evidence and a consistent system of measurement to understand how they could impact our health, and what the risks are.”  

Refining the scope of study

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic are approaching microplastics from multiple angles and collaborating across specialties in pursuit of meaningful health information for physicians and patients. In some cases, this means determining what to measure, as well as how. In others, it means examining microplastics in a single organ system, down to the cellular and molecular levels.

Dr. MacMurdo, who is also a team member in the Center for Environment, Place and Health Research, says that one important avenue of study is to understand and measure humans’ real-world exposure. This includes tracing what is in all aspects of the environment – like the air and water in a patient’s environment.

Other researchers, like Christine McDonald, PhD, are focusing their work on understanding what happens when microplastics particles encounter specific organs.

“We know that diseases like inflammatory bowel disease can’t be explained by genetics alone, so there are most certainly environmental variables that contribute,” Dr. McDonald says. “There are a lot of variables to consider, including size, shape and type of plastic – if those even matter. But determining what to ask is how good science begins.”

Research for the future of human health

Preliminary hypotheses and investigations have begun to emerge, including research from the lab of Laura Bukavina, MD, MPH. Dr. Bukavina noted a rising trend in young-onset bladder cancer and its geographic incidence in areas of Ohio with higher levels of microplastics exposure.

Though much remains to be explored, Dr. McDonald notes that Cleveland Clinic researchers across biology, engineering, imaging and environmental science – as well as researchers at other institutions in northeast Ohio and across the country – are collaborating to pursue the unanswered questions and gaps in methods.

During a time where scientific investigation is widespread and only large-scale change would eliminate microplastics altogether, Dr. MacMurdo concludes that patients – and physicians – can focus on addressing the risks that matter and making informed decisions about where to spend their time, money and effort.