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Worker studies suggest unique liver carcinogenicity potential of polyvinyl chloride microplastics
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12 2023
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Source: Am J Ind Med. 66(12):1033-1047
[PDF-144.83 KB]
Details:
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Alternative Title:Am J Ind Med
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Personal Author:
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Description:Background:
Plastic debris pervade our environment. Some break down into microplastics (MP) that can enter and distribute in living organisms causing effects in multiple target organs. MP have been demonstrated to harm animals through environmental exposure. Laboratory animal studies are still insufficient to evaluate human impact. And while MP have been found in human tissues, the health effects at environmental exposure levels are unclear.
Aim:
We reviewed and summarized existing evidence on health effects from occupation exposure to microplastics. Additionally, the diverse effects documented for workers were organized by microplastic type and associated co-contaminants. The evidence of unique effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on liver were then highlighted.
Methods:
We conducted two stepwise online literature reviews of publications focused on the health risks associated with occupational microplastic exposures. This information was supplemented with findings from animal studies.
Results:
Our analysis focused on 34 published studies on occupational health effects from microplastic exposure with half involving exposure to PVC and the other half a variety of other microplastics to compare. Liver effects following PVC exposure were reported for workers. While PVC exposures causes liver toxicity and increases the risk of liver cancers, including angiosarcomas and hepatocellular carcinomas, the carcinogenic effects of work-related exposure to other microplastics, such as polystyrene and polyethylene, are not well understood.
Conclusion:
The data supporting liver toxicity is strongest PVC exposure. Overall, the evidence of liver toxicity from occupational exposure to microplastics other than PVC is lacking. The PVC worker data summarized here can be useful in assisting clinicians evaluating exposure histories from PVC exposure and designing future cell, animal, and population exposure-effect research studies.
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Pubmed ID:37742097
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC10841875
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