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Spray paint-derived microplastics and incorporated substances as ecotoxicological contaminants in the neotropical bumblebee Bombus atratus
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Researchers exposed bumblebees to spray paint-derived microplastics, both fresh and UV-degraded, to assess their effects on internal organs. They found that UV-degraded paint microplastics caused significantly more cellular damage to the digestive tract and excretory organs than fresh particles. The study highlights that weathered microplastics from common consumer products can pose greater toxic risks to pollinators than pristine plastic particles.
While bumblebees may be exposed to microplastics (MPs), the effects on them are not well studied. Therefore, in this research, we assessed the cytotoxicity of pristine and photodegraded spray paint-derived MPs on the midgut, Malpighian tubules, and hepato-nephrocitic system cells of Bombus atratus workers exposed to 50 mg.L MPs for 96 hours. Histological and histochemical analyses revealed that pristine MPs caused subtle cellular changes, while the exposure to photodegraded MPs led to significant vacuolization, nuclear condensation, and pyknosis. These effects are possibly linked to the release of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) like Copper, Manganese, and Iron from photodegraded MPs, which exceeded Brazil's CONAMA safety limits. Photodegraded MPs also reduced body weight, disrupting homeostasis and potentially decreasing bumblebee's fitness. These findings highlight the importance of studying the toxicity of environmentally realistic MPs, as plastic composition and weathering significantly influence their harmful effects.
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Evaluation of the effect of spray paint microplastics on the internal organs of foraging worker bees of Bombus atratus (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Bombini)
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Researchers evaluated the effects of spray paint microplastics on the internal organs of foraging worker bees of Bombus atratus, assessing histological and physiological changes in organ tissues following exposure to paint-derived microplastic particles.
UVB-Aged Microplastics and Cellular Damage: An in Vitro Study
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Researchers compared the cellular damage caused by UV-aged versus new microplastic particles using lab-grown human cells. They found that UV-aged microplastics caused significantly more DNA damage and oxidative stress than pristine particles, likely due to chemical changes on their surfaces during weathering. The findings suggest that environmentally weathered microplastics may pose greater health risks than freshly produced ones.
Polyethylene, whose surface has been modified by UV irradiation, induces cytotoxicity: A comparison with microplastics found in beaches
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Researchers showed that polyethylene microplastics degraded by UV light, mimicking what happens to plastics in the environment, were toxic to immune and skin cells in lab tests. Fresh, undegraded plastic particles did not cause the same harm, meaning weathered microplastics found in nature are likely more dangerous than the pristine plastics typically used in lab studies. This suggests that real-world human exposure to environmentally aged microplastics may carry greater health risks than current research indicates.
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This experimental study found that microplastic exposure worsened the harmful effects of ozone pollution and heat stress on bumblebees. When combined, these stressors caused greater health damage than any single one alone, suggesting that microplastic pollution may amplify the impacts of climate change on important pollinators.
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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.