Microplastics in children and cancer tissues raise alarm over weak EU protections

Current EU legislation is failing to prevent the spread of microplastics throughout the human body, according to a new report published on Wednesday (22 July) by the Plastic Soup Foundation in collaboration with Green Impact. Drawing on peer-reviewed scientific evidence, the report says microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human blood, breast milk, lungs, brain tissue, placentas and children’s urine. It warns that their widespread presence constitutes an escalating public health crisis and calls for stronger EU action. “Europe has the scientific evidence and holds the political mandate to protect public health. What is missing is the ambition to legislate at the pace the science demands,” said Gaia Angelini, president of Green Impact. The report reviews evidence linking micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) to a range of health effects observed in mammal studies, including intestinal disturbance, cardiovascular and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity and metabolic disruption. “It is a public health emergency that the EU’s 2024–2029 legislative cycle has a unique opportunity to address,” said Maria Westerbos, founder of the Plastic Soup Foundation. According to the report, the underlying mechanisms appear to involve oxidative stress, inflammation and physical damage, although direct evidence in humans remains limited and requires further research. The report also examines evidence suggesting that micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to cancer development through multiple mechanisms identified in preclinical studies. It notes that MNPs have been found in higher concentrations in human lung, colorectal and prostate cancer tissues than in healthy tissue, while stressing that it remains unclear whether this reflects bioaccumulation or a causal relationship. Among the studies highlighted is research involving 1,000 children aged between six and nine years. The study (Dong et al., 2025) found a significant association between the presence of microplastics in urine, particularly polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and behavioural problems.