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Behaviour-change interventions to reduce prenatal exposure to plastic-associated chemicals, and child neurodevelopmental follow-up: a scoping review protocol
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This is a planned review summarizing existing research on programs that try to help people reduce contact with phthalates, bisphenols, and micro- and nanoplastics before and during pregnancy. It will examine whether these programs changed exposure levels or behaviors, and whether any studies tracked children's later brain development, including autism-related outcomes.
A scoping review mapping behaviour-change interventions that aim to reduce exposure to phthalates, bisphenols and micro- and nanoplastics before and during pregnancy. It will describe intervention content using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1, chart effects on exposure biomarkers and behaviours, and identify whether any study has followed children to neurodevelopmental or autism-related outcomes, with attention to families at elevated likelihood of autism.
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Prenatal and early-life exposure to micro- and nanoplastics and autism-relevant neurodevelopment: An integrated review of human, experimental, and mechanistic evidence
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Tiny plastic particles called micro- and nanoplastics have been found in the placenta, breastmilk, and other tissues linked to pregnancy and infancy, meaning babies may be exposed before they're even born. This review pulls together animal studies and lab research suggesting these particles could affect brain development in ways connected to autism—like changes in social behavior—likely by triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions to gut-brain communication. The evidence is still early and mostly from animal studies rather than direct proof in humans, but it highlights an important area for future research given how common plastic exposure is in daily life.
Exposition to Plastic and Associated-chemicals in Neurodevelpmental Disorder: an Overview
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This overview pools findings from multiple studies on how plastics and their associated chemicals may affect brain development in children. Exposure to micro- and nanoplastics, plasticizers like BPA, and flame retardants has been linked to neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD in early research, though more human studies are needed to confirm these connections.
Microplastics as a Silent Threat to Child Neurodevelopment: Evidence and Perspectives on Autism
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Tiny plastic particles from everyday products can enter our bodies and even reach the brain, and this review of recent studies found they may cause inflammation and affect memory and attention—raising questions about their role in childhood brain development. While researchers haven't found proof that microplastics cause autism, this review of existing evidence suggests they could be one environmental factor worth investigating further, highlighting why reducing plastic exposure may be a smart precaution while scientists learn more.
A systematic review and experimental study of micro/nanoplastic-induced endocrine disruption in rodents: Potential links to autism spectrum disorder
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This systematic review and experimental study explores how microplastic and nanoplastic exposure may disrupt hormones and contribute to autism-like behaviors in rodent models. Studies consistently showed decreased testosterone and reproductive hormones with plastic exposure. While a direct link to autism in humans has not been proven, the findings suggest that plastic particles' endocrine-disrupting effects deserve closer investigation.
Seafood Toxicant Exposure During Pregnancy, Lactation, and Childhood and Child Outcomes: A Scoping Review
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Researchers conducted a scoping review of studies on toxicant exposure through seafood during pregnancy and childhood, finding that most research focuses on mercury while microplastics have received almost no study. This gap highlights the need for systematic research on how microplastic exposure through seafood affects fetal and child development.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.