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161 Keynote: Characterising Microplastic Exposure and Hazards: Challenges and Opportunities
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This keynote overview summarizes the state of microplastic science, noting that plastic particles contaminate air, water, food, and dust globally and have been detected in human lung tissue, with lab studies showing potential for oxidative stress and metabolic disruption at high exposures. The paper highlights critical knowledge gaps — including how particle size, shape, and chemistry influence health outcomes — and calls for urgency as plastic production continues to grow and a UN Plastics Treaty is under negotiation.
Abstract Plastic is the third most abundant manmade material on the planet. Whilst often considered durable, it sheds micro- and nanoscopic debris (‘microplastic’) to the environment, which contaminates water, dust, and food globally. Recently, microplastic has been reported in atmospheric deposition and airmasses around the globe, suggesting a complex cycle before it reaches its environmental – or biological – fate. Furthermore, the discovery of microplastic in ambient and indoor air has raised concern for public exposure via inhalation and potential impacts on health. In laboratory studies, exposure to high levels of certain types of microplastic can cause adverse effects, primarily oxidative stress, and metabolic disruption. However, there are critical physicochemical factors which govern both the fate and effects of inhaled material in the body and very little is known for microplastic. This talk will give an overview of the progress in plastic aerosol research, from early environmental measurements to analytical and data science advances to hazard characterisation. It will highlight challenges, knowledge gaps, and opportunities for research. As discussions for a proposed UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution develop and the rate of plastic production continues to grow, it is timely to consider microplastic exposure and its potential role in disease pathways.
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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.
Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Environment: Current State of Research, Sources of Origin, Health Risks, and Regulations—A Comprehensive Review
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This review summarizes the current state of research on micro- and nanoplastics found in air, water, and soil worldwide. These tiny plastic particles pose significant threats to human health including oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular damage, and possible cancer-causing effects, and the authors call for stronger regulations and more research into how they harm the body.
Micro- and nanoplastics: a global threat to health and the environment
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This global review assesses the evidence for micro- and nanoplastics as threats to both environmental and human health, covering contamination of air, food, and water, and discussing the challenges of risk assessment given incomplete toxicological data.
Sources, Environmental Fates, Human Exposure Pathways, and Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics and nanoplastics are now found everywhere—in our food, water, and air—and this review pulls together what scientists currently know about how they get into our bodies and what they might do once there. The concern isn't just the plastic itself, but that these particles can carry along other harmful chemicals (like BPA and heavy metals) and may disrupt hormones and metabolism, with the smallest particles even able to slip past the body's natural protective barriers. The research is still catching up, though—scientists don't yet have long-term human studies to fully confirm the risks, so this paper mainly highlights what we need to study
Microplastics: A Looming Threat to Human Life and Ecosystem
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This review described microplastics as a pervasive environmental and health threat, covering sources, exposure pathways—ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact—and potential biological effects. The authors summarized evidence of microplastic accumulation in human tissues and called for coordinated international action to reduce plastic production and environmental release.
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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.