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Neurological Outcomes of Joint Exposure to Polystyrene Micro/Nanospheres and Silver Nanoparticles in Zebrafish
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This zebrafish study found that tiny nanoplastics made the brain-damaging effects of silver nanoparticles worse, while larger microplastics had less of an impact. The findings suggest that when nanoplastics combine with other common pollutants, they may create greater risks to the nervous system than either pollutant alone.
Our findings demonstrate that polystyrene nanospheres (PSNPs) intensified AgNPs-induced neurotoxicity in larval zebrafish, whereas polystyrene microspheres (PSMPs) had a lesser effect, indicating distinct gene regulation roles when combined with AgNPs. These findings enhance the assessment of environmental risks in settings with coexisting nanomaterials and microplastics, offering important insights for evaluating combined exposure risks. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14873.
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