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Potential Health Risks of Micro-Nanoplastics and Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Review of Exposure Pathways and Toxic Effects
Summary
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics can enhance the bioavailability of persistent organic pollutants through a Trojan horse effect, leading to combined inflammatory, cellular, and metabolic toxic effects that threaten human health beyond what either contaminant causes alone.
Human exposure to micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) occurs concurrently via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Once inside the body, MNPs may act as carriers for POPs due to their adsorption capacity, potentially enhancing the bioavailability and tissue distribution of these toxic compounds through a "Trojan horse" effect. This interaction can lead to combined toxicological effects—such as inflammatory responses, cellular dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances—that threaten human health. This review critically assesses the combined health impacts of MNP–POP co-exposure, evaluates advanced methodological approaches including in vitro organoid models and multi-omics integration, and identifies key research priorities such as intracellular transport mechanisms and the development of human-relevant risk assessment frameworks. Our goal is to provide a scientific basis for improved health risk assessment and preventive health strategies related to mixed pollutant exposure.