Micro-sized polyethylene particles show adverse effects in cell lines
Exposure to high doses of micro-sized polyethylene has adverse effects on cells, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland finds. The researchers investigated the toxicity of micro-sized polyethylene in two different human colorectal cancer cell lines. Being one of our most common plastics, polyethylene is used for a variety of purposes, for example as packaging material. Exposure to high doses of polyethylene was found to decrease cell viability and increase the production of reactive oxygen species in cell mitochondria, which are vital energy-producing organelles. The findings