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Biomonitoring of microplastics in saliva and hands of young children in kindergartens: identification, quantification, and exposure assessment
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Researchers collected saliva and hand-swab samples from 100 young children aged 3 to 6 at kindergartens in Iran and found a total of 716 microplastic particles across the samples. The most common types were fibers, and micro-Raman spectroscopy identified multiple polymer types. The study represents one of the first efforts to directly measure microplastic exposure in young children through biological monitoring, highlighting that even young kids encounter these particles in everyday settings.
Microplastics (MPs), small plastic particles increasingly accumulating in the environment and encountered by humans, pose a particular risk to children due to their heightened vulnerability compared to adults. This study pioneered biological monitoring of MPs and investigated the presence and potential exposure of MPs in the saliva and on the hands of young children attending kindergartens in Kerman, Iran. A sample of 100 children aged 3 to 6 years was randomly selected from five kindergartens across five districts (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Following sample digestion and filtration, MPs were identified and classified under an optical microscope. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was employed to analyze the composition of MPs. The study identified a total of 716 MPs, with the majority (299, 41.7%) being black. The number of microplastics on hands and saliva increased by 55.9% and 11.8%, respectively, after entering kindergarten. Most MPs observed were smaller than 100 µm. Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis of six fibers revealed four composed of polystyrene (PS), one of nylon, and one of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The average number of MPs on children's hands upon kindergarten entry was 1.85 ± 1.39, increasing significantly to 4.2 ± 3.05 after kindergarten entry (p-value < 0.0001). This research highlighted the significant role of kindergarten flooring in determining MPs' presence in children. Specifically, the presence of tatami flooring correlated with higher MPs' levels.
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Microplastic-associated gut microbial profile and antibiotic resistance in preschool children: a multicentre cross-sectional study in China
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In a multicentre study of 335 preschool children across three Chinese cities, researchers detected eight types of microplastics in fecal samples at a median concentration of 212.1 micrograms per gram. The study found that microplastic exposure was associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and function, including metabolic pathways related to macronutrients and vitamins, as well as a relationship with antibiotic resistance gene abundance.
Occurrence of microplastics and disturbance of gut microbiota: a pilot study of preschool children in Xiamen, China
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In a study of preschool children in Xiamen, China, researchers found microplastics in the stool of every child tested, with polycarbonate and PVC being the most common types. Children who frequently used plastic containers and ate takeout food had higher microplastic levels. The study also found that higher microplastic exposure was linked to changes in gut bacteria, including lower levels of beneficial microbes.
Sources of Microplastics in the Environment and Human Exposure Routes: A Review
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Researchers reviewed the major sources of environmental microplastic pollution — dominated by textiles, tires, and urban dust — and catalogued the primary human exposure routes via food, inhalation, and skin contact, noting that airborne MPs are an underestimated risk because fine particles can bypass respiratory defenses and penetrate deep into the lungs.
Pathways of human exposure to microplastics, and estimation of the total burden
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Tiny plastic bits called microplastics are everywhere, in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even things that touch our skin, and this review pulls together existing research to show we're exposed through all three routes, not just by eating contaminated food like most studies focus on. The bigger takeaway: scientists still don't have standardized, reliable ways to measure exactly how much plastic ends up in our bodies, so the true scale of our exposure remains uncertain. This matters because until better testing methods exist, it's hard to know just how much plastic we're really taking in, or what it's doing to our health.
Micro and Nano Plastics: Identification and Quantification Methods
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Researchers reviewed the primary identification and quantification methods for micro and nanoplastics (MNPs), covering spectroscopic, microscopic, and chemical analytical techniques used to detect particles across environmental and biological matrices. Standardized, reliable detection methods are essential for accurately tracking MNP contamination levels and informing regulatory and public health responses.
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