Microplastics from garbage and tires that break down and are released into the air creating air pollution appear to be associated with serious health problems such as male and female infertility, colon cancer and poor lung function.

The above finds a review of 3,000 studies, which was done by researchers at the University of California in San Francisco and published in the journal “Environmental Science & Technology”.

Particulate matter may also contribute to chronic lung inflammation, which is likely to increase the risk of lung cancer.

Most of the studies in the review were based on animals, but the researchers note that the conclusions probably apply to humans, who are exposed to the same conditions of air pollution.

Microplastics are smaller than five millimeters and are everywhere in the environment. Every year companies around the world produce almost 460 million tons of plastic and this number is predicted to reach 1.1 billion by 2050