We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Micro(nano)plastics: an Emerging Burden for Human Health
Summary
This review summarizes recent research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect human health, noting that these particles have been found accumulating in the cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive, and digestive systems. The evidence points to oxidative stress and inflammation as key mechanisms of harm, with recent human studies now providing direct evidence of cardiovascular toxic effects from plastic particle exposure.
The escalation of plastic pollution represents a global environmental and health problem. Important toxic effects have been attributed to the increasing diffusion of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) derived from the degradation of plastics. These particles have been ubiquitously observed in the environment, with humans being continuously exposed via ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. Nonetheless, the cellular homeostasis imbalance induced by micro- and nano- plastics (MNPs) in human health has been only recently shown, while most evidence and molecular mechanisms derived from studies in vitro and in vivo models. To date, the majority of available results testified the accumulation of MNPs in the cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive and digestive systems, and recently clear evidence about cardiovascular toxic effects of MNPs has been provided in humans. In this context, this review aims to provide a comprehensive update about the most recent studies reporting the effects of MNPs in different models, focusing on the available evidence in the main areas of study related to human health. Hopefully, this review will contribute to raise awareness about the toxicity and oxidative alteration exerted by MNPs, supporting the elaboration of new strategies to counteract plastic pandemics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics as an Emerging Human Health Risk: Mechanisms, Exposure, and Clinical Evidence
This review examines the growing body of evidence on how microplastics enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, and have now been detected in blood, lung tissue, placenta, and cardiovascular tissue. Evidence indicates that microplastics may cause harm through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage, though a direct causal link to specific health conditions has not yet been fully established.
Microplastics as an Emerging Human Health Risk: Mechanisms, Exposure, and Clinical Evidence
This review examines the growing body of evidence on how microplastics enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, and have now been detected in blood, lung tissue, placenta, and cardiovascular tissue. Evidence indicates that microplastics may cause harm through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage, though a direct causal link to specific health conditions has not yet been fully established.
Micro- and Nanoplastics on Human Health and Diseases: Perspectives and Recent Advances
This review provides a comprehensive overview of how micro- and nanoplastics enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption, and how they can then travel through the bloodstream to reach virtually every organ. Researchers summarize evidence that these particles can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of hormonal and immune functions. The study emphasizes that the ability of these particles to cross biological barriers and accumulate in tissues makes understanding their long-term health effects an urgent research priority.
Effects of micro-and-nano plastics on various organ systems in health
This review examines the toxicological effects of micro- and nanoplastics on multiple human organ systems—including the gut, liver, lungs, cardiovascular system, and brain—summarizing mechanisms of harm such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption.
Microplastics, Nanoplastics and Heart Contamination: The Hidden Threat
This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can accumulate in human cardiovascular tissues, including blood, heart muscle, and arterial plaques. Researchers found that these particles may contribute to heart and blood vessel problems through inflammation, oxidative stress, blood clotting, and direct tissue injury. The study identifies plastic particles as a potential new environmental risk factor for cardiovascular health.