We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Unveiling the presence of micro and nanoplastics in human biological matrices: A systematic review covering the latest five years from 2020 to 2025
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review covering 2020-2025 confirmed the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in human blood, placenta, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other biological matrices. The findings demonstrate that plastic particles are accumulating in human tissues through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, raising urgent questions about long-term health consequences.
Plastic contamination has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, with global plastic production surpassing 413 million metric tons in 2024. This dramatic increase has led to a parallel rise in the generation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), tiny plastic particles that now permeate not only natural ecosystems but also human environments. Human exposure to MNPs occurs through contaminated food, water, inhalation of airborne particles, dermal contact, and medical devices, although the exact exposure levels and health impacts remain uncertain. Once internalized, these particles have been shown to provoke inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune system disruption. To better understand the scope of this issue, a systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Data were extracted on polymer types, particle sizes, detection methodologies, and documented biological impacts. MNPs were consistently identified across a wide range of human biological matrices, with the blood (30.2 %), stool (12.3 %), and skin (9.9 %) being among the most frequently studied. The most detected polymers included polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Recent advancements in detection technologies, particularly micro-Raman spectroscopy (μRaman), micro-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR), and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), have significantly enhanced analytical sensitivity, allowing for the reliable identification of particles as small as 1 μm. Without limitation the results from this systematic review are useful and applicable to guiding public health policies, shaping environmental regulations, and informing future toxicological research.
More Papers Like This
Systemic Accumulation and Distribution of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Human Tissues and Their Impact on Health: A Systematic Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review synthesizes human evidence on the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in body tissues and fluids, including blood, lungs, placenta, breast milk, and liver. The research confirms that plastic particles can cross biological barriers and accumulate in multiple organ systems. While the long-term health effects are still being studied, the widespread presence of plastics inside the human body raises significant health concerns.
Microplastics in Human Tissues: Sources, Distribution, Toxicological Effects, and Health Implications
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the growing body of evidence that microplastics accumulate in human tissues — including lung, blood, placenta, breast milk, and heart tissue — where they can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death. The review highlights urgent knowledge gaps around how plastic particles move through the body and what their long-term health effects may be.
Why Detecting Nanoplastics in Humans Matters: Exposure Routes, Biological Evidence, and Potential Health Implications
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Detection, characterization, and quantification of microplastics in human biological matrices: a systematic review.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes 40 studies that found microplastics in human blood, urine, feces, placenta, breast milk, semen, and lung and heart tissue. Methods for detecting these particles varied widely, and many studies had quality limitations, so researchers say current evidence cannot yet confirm health effects.
Systemic translocation of micro- and nanoplastics in humans: Evidence, mechanisms and future perspectives
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
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.