We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Risks of aged polystyrene microplastics cannot be ignored: release of large amounts of degradation products
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used simulated digestion experiments to show that aged polystyrene microplastics release substantial degradation products into digestive fluids, causing a dual reduction in particle size and molecular weight that increases cellular uptake risk, while also altering digestive enzyme conformation — with longer aging producing greater and more hazardous chemical release.
Unaged microplastics, as well as residual monomers or additives from the processing stage would affect the plants, animals, and human body. Aged microplastics (MPs) containing degradation products are widespread pollutants. There is a gap in the effects of aged microplastics on human body. Through static digestion simulation experiments, this study investigates the interaction between aged polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) with different molecular weights and simulated digestive fluids. The findings reveal that degradation products existing on the surface of PS MPs are released into the simulated digestive fluids, leading to a "dual reduction" in both the physical size and molecular weight of MPs. This result implies that the potential risk of cells ingesting MPs increases due to the ageing of plastics. Moreover, these degradation products impact the micro-environment of digestive enzymes, consequently leading to conformational changes in the macromolecules of these enzymes. The longer the ageing time, the greater degradation products are released and the more solute is adsorbed, which may pose even graver hazards to the bio-safety. This study contributes to assessing the effects and potential risks of aged PS MPs on human health. It emphasizes the importance of investigating the risk of aged MPs that could enter cells, inducing some hazardous effects after digestion.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene microplastics: environmental presence, pathways, and biological impact
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the environmental presence, transport pathways, and biological impacts of polystyrene microplastics, documenting how widespread food packaging use leads to pervasive contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and raises concerns for organismal and human health.
The Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics in Living Organisms; Environmental and Ecological Concerns
AI summary Read the abstract
This review comprehensively examined the environmental and ecological impacts of polystyrene microplastics, which readily adsorb both organic and inorganic pollutants and carry them into living organisms. Polystyrene is one of the most widely produced plastics globally, and its breakdown into microplastics creates particles that act as vectors for toxic chemicals in ecosystems and potentially in human bodies.
Polystyrene: A Hazardous Risk to Marine as Well as Human Life
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the environmental and health hazards of polystyrene — one of the world's most widely used plastics — documenting how it fragments into persistent microplastics that accumulate in marine ecosystems, enter the food chain, and pose toxicological risks to marine organisms and humans alike.
Environmental Risks and Hazards of Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics form from the breakdown of larger plastic products under sunlight and environmental exposure, and examined the environmental and health risks these particles pose as they accumulate across ecosystems and enter food and water supplies.
Environmental Risks and Human Health Impact of Microplastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the sources, environmental pathways, and human health impacts of microplastic pollution, providing a comprehensive analysis of how microplastics enter ecosystems and the body and the potential risks they pose to human well-being.
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.