New findings from NYU Langone Health indicate that tiny plastic fragments were present in the tumors of most men undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.

Researchers analyzed tissue from ten patients and found microplastics in 90 percent of tumor samples and 70 percent of adjacent benign tissue.

Beyond that, the study showed that cancerous tissue carried on average more than twice the plastic burden of healthy tissue, roughly 40 micrograms per gram versus 16.

This pattern fits a broader concern that microplastics pervade water, air, blood and even placental tissue, though their health effects remain incompletely understood.

To prevent contamination, investigators substituted standard tools with aluminum, cotton and other non plastic materials. This careful approach aimed to ensure the plastic detected originated from the tissue rather than the lab.

This study marks what researchers call the first direct evidence linking microplastics to prostate cancer.

“By uncovering yet another potential health concern posed by plastic, our findings highlight the need for stricter regulatory measures to limit the public’s exposure to these substances, which are everywhere in the environment,” said senior study author Vittorio Albergamo, assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in the release.

“What is most striking is not that microplastics were detected, but that they were found embedded within tumor tissue itself,” Dr. David Sidransky, oncologist and medical advisor at SpotitEarly, a startup that offers an at-home breath-based test to detect early-stage cancer, told a news outlet.

“We already know microplastics are present in water, air, blood and even placental tissue. Their detection in prostate tumors suggests systemic distribution and long-term bioaccumulation,” added Maryland-based Sidransky, who was not involved in the study.

Albergamo cautioned that a larger sample is needed to confirm the findings. Additionally, Sidransky noted that the mere presence of microplastics does not prove they cause cancer.

“Tumors can act as ‘biologic sinks,’ meaning they may accumulate circulating particles simply because of altered vasculature and permeability,” he said.

A key unanswered question remains whether microplastics are biologically active in ways that promote DNA damage, immune modulation or chronic inflammation within the prostate. This line of inquiry is essential to determine if there is a causal link beyond association.

About one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For those concerned about microplastics, Sidransky offered some insights. “I believe the appropriate response is curiosity, not panic, and a commitment to understand more,” he said. “While complete avoidance is unrealistic, people can take practical steps to reduce exposure, such as minimizing heating food in plastic containers, reducing bottled water consumption when possible, and favoring glass or stainless steel alternatives.”

The most actionable step men can take, however, is getting appropriate screenings to help ensure early detection, according to the doctor. Screening discussions should be individualized based on age, family history and other risk factors.