We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The distribution of nano- and microplastics in the human body: a hybrid perfusion-diffusion based PBK model
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists built a computer model that predicts how tiny plastic particles from air and food travel through and build up in different organs of the body, based on particle size. The model found that breathing in plastic particles leads to more of them lingering in your body, while swallowed plastic particles are mostly flushed out—though both pathways ultimately end up eliminated mainly through waste. This tool could help researchers better predict health risks from plastic pollution exposure, even though more human data is still needed to confirm real-world accuracy.
A key bottleneck in human health risk assessment of nano- and microplastics (NMPs) is the limited applicability of physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models that simulate particle distributions within the body based on external exposure. Many existing models of NMP are mass-based, even though risk assessment requires particle numbers and size distributions, and they enforce a binary choice between perfusion- and diffusion-limited transport. Here, we develop a probabilistic PBK model for polydisperse NMPs that smoothly shifts from perfusion to diffusion as particle size increases and predicts particle numbers and size distributions across organs. We calibrate the model within realistic parameter bounds using mouse kinetic data, scale it to human physiology, and apply it to realistic polydisperse exposure scenarios for both inhalation and ingestion. Model evaluation showed strong agreement with observed tissue concentrations for inhalation and ingestion, with most predictions accurate within a factor of five. Simulations revealed route-specific kinetics: inhalation burdens were driven by respiratory retention and mucociliary transfer to the gastrointestinal tract, with fecal elimination as the dominant pathway. In contrast, ingestion yielded near-complete elimination, low systemic burdens, and fecal dominance. For inhalation, size distributions were mainly dominated by 50-100 nm particles, whereas ingestion showed smaller particles in systemic organs and larger fractions retained in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the scarcity of human data, our probabilistic whole-body PBK model integrates experimental biodistribution data with environmentally realistic, polydisperse NMP exposures to simulate internal tissue concentrations across the full NMP size continuum and establishes a mechanistic foundation for NMP risk assessment.
More Papers Like This
A Hybrid Perfusion-Diffusion based PBK model for the distribution of nano- and microplastics in the human body
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a hybrid physiologically-based kinetic model to predict the distribution of nano- and microplastic particles in the human body after ingestion. The model integrates perfusion and diffusion processes to estimate tissue-specific particle concentrations across different exposure scenarios.
A Hybrid Perfusion-Diffusion based PBK model for the distribution of nano- and microplastics in the human body
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a hybrid perfusion-diffusion physiologically based kinetic model to predict the distribution of nano- and microplastics in the human body across tissues and organs, addressing a key gap in human health risk assessment. The PBK model framework enables estimation of internal plastic particle doses in specific organs from external exposure data, supporting more mechanistic risk assessments.
A physiologically based toxicokinetic model for microplastics and nanoplastics in mice after oral exposure and its implications for human dietary exposure assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers built the first computer model that predicts how micro- and nanoplastics distribute throughout the body after being swallowed, based on real mouse data. The model shows that particles smaller than 1 micrometer are absorbed much more efficiently from the gut and accumulate in organs like the liver and kidneys. This tool can now be used to estimate how much microplastic from food and water actually builds up in human tissues, helping to assess real health risks.
Exploring the potential and challenges of developing physiologically-based toxicokinetic models to support human health risk assessment of microplastic and nanoplastic particles
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explores the challenge of building computer models to predict how micro- and nanoplastics move through the human body after being inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. While particle size and surface chemistry are well-studied, factors like shape, polymer type, and biological coatings need more attention. The authors propose a framework for a physiologically-based model that could help scientists better estimate how much plastic actually reaches human tissues.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.