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Can the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on human health really be assessed using in vitro models? A review of methodological issues
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This review examines whether lab-based cell studies can reliably predict how micro and nanoplastics affect human health. The authors found significant inconsistencies in how researchers choose plastic particle types, doses, and exposure methods, making it hard to compare results across studies. The paper calls for standardized testing protocols so that lab findings can more accurately reflect real-world microplastic exposure risks to people.
Because of the many advantages they offer (strength, low cost, durability, lightweight, resistance, etc.), plastics are integral part of our daily life with a production constantly rising. However, their waste management is still inadequate, resulting in their release and accumulation in the environment, representing a main source of pollution. Their degradation results in debris of variable size including microplastics (0.1 μm-5 mm) and even nanoplastics (<0.1 μm), whose potential impact on ecosystems and human health have raised concerns. The potential adverse effects they may cause have been evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo models. However, due to some specific characteristics of micro- and nanoplastics, there are challenging questions about whether conventional in vitro tests are appropriate for evaluating their toxicity. For example, low-density plastics float on the surface of the culture medium and cannot come into contact with cells adhering to the bottom of the culture plates, which prevents proper evaluation of potential adverse effects and leads to misinterpretation of toxicological assays. In this review, we discuss the main issues related to the evaluation of micro- and nanoplastics toxicity using conventional in vitro assays. A literature survey has allowed to propose some solutions to circumvent these issues including the use of mathematical models to accurately determine the dose of particles delivered to cells, advanced 3D models (organoids), inverted cell culture models, cell cultures at the air-liquid interface or under dynamic conditions. Finally, we propose some perspectives and recommendations for further research on the in vitro evaluation of micro- and nanoplastics toxicity, underlining the importance of using standardized protocols for comparison purposes and samples and experimental conditions more representative of real-life exposure.
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Emerging Analytical Methodologies for Micro- and Nano-Plastics Detection in Human Samples: Analytical Challenges and Health Risk Perspectives
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Scientists have found tiny plastic particles (microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics) throughout human organs and body fluids, but this review of existing research shows we still lack reliable, standardized tools to accurately measure them—different labs get different results depending on how they prepare and test samples. While lab studies suggest very small plastic particles can cause cell stress and inflammation, there isn't yet solid evidence directly linking plastic exposure to specific diseases in people—so the biggest takeaway is that we urgently need better testing methods before we can truly understand the health risks these particles pose.
Microplastics and nanoplastics: Exposure and toxicological effects require important analysis considerations
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This review highlights that while microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human tissues and linked to several diseases, the actual toxic effects are still unclear because researchers use very different methods to study them. The authors call for standardized testing approaches so that results can be compared reliably, which is critical for determining what levels of exposure actually pose a risk to human health.
Toxicity in vitro reveals potential impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health: A review
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This review summarizes laboratory cell-culture studies examining the potential health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on human cells. Researchers found evidence that these particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption to normal cell functions across multiple cell types. The study suggests that while more research is needed, the in vitro evidence indicates microplastics and nanoplastics have the potential to affect human health through several biological pathways.
Understanding Human Health Impacts Following Microplastic Exposure Necessitates Standardized Protocols
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This overview examines the methods currently used to study how microplastics affect human health, highlighting significant inconsistencies in experimental approaches. Researchers identified challenges including the lack of standardized reference materials, variability in exposure conditions, and limited understanding of how microplastic doses translate to real-world exposure. The study proposes solutions to standardize protocols so that future research builds on a more reliable foundation.
Gaps between Laboratory Experiments and Real-World Exposure: Toxicological Assessment of Microplastics Is Based on Inadequate Evidence
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**TLDR:** This review of existing research found that current studies on microplastic toxicity don't match real-world conditions—most lab experiments test single types of plastic particles at high doses for short periods, while people are actually exposed to many different microplastics mixed with other pollutants over long periods of time. The authors argue we need better testing methods that mirror how people actually encounter microplastics in daily life to truly understand the health risks. This research gap makes it hard to know if microplastics are truly dangerous to human health at the levels we're actually exposed to.
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