We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
From Microplastics to Nanoplastics: Human Exposure Pathways, Molecular Toxicity, and Emerging Health Risks
Summary
This review pulls together recent research on tiny plastic particles called microplastics and even smaller ones called nanoplastics, which come from breaking-down plastic waste and have been found in human tissue. The key takeaway: nanoplastics may be more concerning than their larger counterparts because their tiny size lets them penetrate deeper into cells and the body, potentially causing damage at a molecular level. That said, scientists still don't know exactly how much we're exposed to or what the long-term health effects might be, so this is an area to watch rather than panic about.
The widespread accumulation of plastic waste in the environment has led to the generation of microplastics (MPs; <5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs; <1 μm), prompting growing concern about their possible effects on human health. (Andrady, 2017; Geyer et al., 2017). Although microplastics are well characterized, nanoplastics have only recently gained attention as a potentially more harmful class because their nanoscale dimensions increase reactivity and permit deeper biological penetration (Gigault et al., 2018; Koelmans et al., 2022; Sharma et al., 2023). This review critically examines recent advancements (2020–2025) in the sources, environmental distribution, exposure pathways, analytical detection, and toxicological effects of micro- and nanoplastics, with a primary focus on nanoplastics (Li et al., 2023; Singh et al., 2025). Comparative evaluation highlights a shift from physical and carrier-based effects of MPs to molecular and cellular toxicity associated with NPs (Yong et al., 2020; Jin et al., 2019). Despite growing evidence of their presence in human tissues, significant uncertainties remain regarding exposure levels and long-term health implications (Leslie et al., 2022; Nihart et al., 2025; Ragusa et al., 2021).