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Diagnosis of micro- and nanoplastic exposure in humans: current status and prospects, technological advances, and clinical implications
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This review paper summarizes current research on detecting tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) in the human body, including in blood, tissue, and placenta samples. It notes that detecting the smallest particles remains difficult, and discusses studies linking plastic exposure to inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as possible connections to heart, brain, and immune diseases.
The diagnostics of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics represents an emerging and rapidly evolving field at the intersection of environmental medicine, toxicology, and biomedical sciences. Recent technological advances, including the development of spectroscopic, microscopic, and high-resolution analytical techniques, have enabled the detection of microplastic particles in biological samples such as blood, tissues, and placenta. Despite these achievements, the detection of nanoplastics remains challenging due to their extremely small size, lack of methodological standardization, and the risk of sample contamination. Increasing evidence suggests potential clinical implications of micro- and nanoplastic exposure, including their involvement in inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and the development of cardiovascular, neurological, and autoimmune diseases. Future directions will focus on the identification of reliable biomarkers of exposure and biological effects, integration of omics approaches, and the application of artificial intelligence in data analysis. Advancing this field may significantly improve our understanding of environmental impacts on human health and support the development of novel diagnostic and preventive strategies.
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Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Health: From Environmental Contaminants to Internal Pollutants—A Comprehensive Review of Exposure, Bioaccumulation, Toxicity Mechanisms, and Emerging Detection Technologies
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This review pulls together research showing that tiny plastic particles from our food, water, and air aren't just polluting the environment—they're building up inside our bodies, showing up in blood, lungs, brain tissue, and even breast milk. Early studies hint at possible links to heart problems and brain inflammation, but scientists stress this connection isn't proven yet and more long-term research is needed. The bigger takeaway: better detection tools are helping us find these particles in the body, which is the first step toward understanding whether—and how much—they actually harm our health.
Systemic translocation of micro- and nanoplastics in humans: Evidence, mechanisms and future perspectives
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles found in human tissues like the placenta, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain. It examines how these particles might move through the body, based mainly on lab and animal studies, and notes that detection methods and human evidence still have major limitations.
Emerging Analytical Methodologies for Micro- and Nano-Plastics Detection in Human Samples: Analytical Challenges and Health Risk Perspectives
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Scientists have found tiny plastic particles (microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics) throughout human organs and body fluids, but this review of existing research shows we still lack reliable, standardized tools to accurately measure them—different labs get different results depending on how they prepare and test samples. While lab studies suggest very small plastic particles can cause cell stress and inflammation, there isn't yet solid evidence directly linking plastic exposure to specific diseases in people—so the biggest takeaway is that we urgently need better testing methods before we can truly understand the health risks these particles pose.
Why Detecting Nanoplastics in Humans Matters: Exposure Routes, Biological Evidence, and Potential Health Implications
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This review summarizes current evidence on nanoplastic detection in human biological samples, including blood, lung tissue, placenta, and brain samples, confirming that human exposure involves internal uptake rather than just environmental contact. The study discusses how ingestion and inhalation are the dominant exposure pathways, while experimental research suggests nanoplastics may induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption, though direct causal links in humans remain limited.
Quantitative human biomonitoring of micro- and nanoplastics: Exposure profiles, mechanistic insights, and health implications
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Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of 70 studies that measured micro- and nanoplastics in human body samples collected between 2019 and 2025. They found plastic particles present across multiple organ systems and body fluids, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most commonly detected types. While evidence indicates potential associations with oxidative stress and inflammation, the study notes that differences in measurement methods across labs make it difficult to directly compare results, and no causal health relationships have been firmly established yet.
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