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The generation of environmentally persistent free radicals on photoaged microbeads from cosmetics enhances the toxicity via oxidative stress
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Researchers studied how sunlight aging affects microbeads from cosmetics and their potential toxicity. They found that UV exposure generates persistent free radicals on the plastic surface, which significantly increased harmful effects on the roundworm C. elegans, including reduced reproduction and elevated oxidative stress. The findings suggest that weathered microplastics from personal care products may be considerably more toxic than their freshly manufactured counterparts.
Microbeads used in personal care products have been one of the important sources of microplastics (MPs), and little has been reported on their environmental behaviors and health risks. The characteristics of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) and the toxicity assessment of MPs (environmentally relevant concentrations) from cosmetics during photoaging remains largely unknown. In this study, the formation of EPFRs on polyethylene (PE) microbeads from facial scrubs under light irradiation and their toxicity were investigated using C. elegans as a model organism. The results suggested that light irradiation induced the generation of EPFRs, which accelerates the aging process and alters the physicochemical properties of PE microbeads. Acute exposure to PE (1 mg/L) at photoaged times of 45-60 d significantly decreased the physiological indicators (e.g., head thrashes, body bends, and brood size). The oxidative stress response and stress-related gene expression were also enhanced in nematodes. The addition of N-acetyl-l-cysteine induced significant inhibition of toxicity and oxidative stress in nematodes exposed to 45-60 d of photoaged PE. The Pearson correlation results showed that the concentration of EPFRs was significantly correlated with physiological indicators, oxidative stress, and related-genes expression in nematodes. The data confirmed that the generation of EPFRs combined with heavy metals and organics contributed to toxicity induced by photoaged PE, and oxidative stress might be involved in regulating adverse effects in C. elegans. The study provides new insight into the potential risks of microbeads released into the environment during photoaging. The findings also highlight the necessity for considering the role of EPFRs formation in evaluating the impacts of microbeads.
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Environmentally persistent free radicals on photoaging microplastics shortens longevity via inducing oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans
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Researchers found that microplastics aged by sunlight develop persistent free radicals on their surface that are more toxic than fresh microplastics. In experiments with a common laboratory worm, these sun-aged microplastics caused significant oxidative stress and shortened lifespan. This is important because most microplastics in the real world have been exposed to sunlight, meaning their actual health risks may be greater than studies using brand-new plastic particles would suggest.
Environmentally persistent free radicals on photoaged microplastics from disposable plastic cups induce the oxidative stress-associated toxicity
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Researchers found that when disposable plastic cups break down under UV light, they generate persistent free radicals on their surfaces that cause toxic effects in living organisms. These sun-aged microplastics reduced movement, growth, and reproduction in nematode worms through oxidative stress at environmentally realistic concentrations. The study shows that weathered microplastics from everyday items like disposable cups may be more harmful than fresh plastics because of the reactive chemicals generated during breakdown.
Photoaging behavior and neurotoxic effects of shower gel-derived microbeads in Caenorhabditis elegans
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Researchers characterized how shower gel-derived microbeads photoaged under UV radiation and tested the neurotoxicity of aged particles in C. elegans, finding that photooxidation generated persistent free radicals and that aged microbeads caused greater neurological damage than pristine particles.
Photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics exposure results in reproductive toxicity due to oxidative damage in Caenorhabditis elegans
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Researchers exposed the roundworm C. elegans to polystyrene nanoplastics that had been aged by sunlight, simulating real-world environmental conditions. The study found that these weathered nanoplastics caused more severe reproductive harm than pristine particles, primarily through increased oxidative stress, suggesting that aging makes plastic particles more toxic to living organisms.
Unraveling the impacts of photolysis-induced aging microplastics on enhanced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity
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Researchers compared the toxicity of pristine and sun-aged polyethylene and PET microplastics on kidney cells and immune cells and found that aged particles were up to 40 percent more toxic. The increased harm was attributed to environmentally persistent free radicals that form on plastic surfaces during UV exposure, which amplify oxidative stress inside cells. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in the real environment may pose greater health risks than the pristine particles typically used in laboratory studies.
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