Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Polystyrene Microplastics with Different Size and Surface Modification in A549 Human Lung Cells

Toxicological effects of different particle sizes and types of nano-plastics (NPs) on human lung cells: implications for the health risk of airborne microplastic pollution

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Researchers exposed human A549 alveolar cells to polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics of 30 and 50 nm and found that smaller size and higher concentration produced stronger cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis—with PS nanoparticles more toxic than PMMA—providing in vitro evidence of respiratory health risks from inhaled airborne nanoplastics.

Cellular and Animal Toxicities of Micro- and Nanoplastics

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Researchers reviewed evidence from cell and animal studies on the toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics, finding that these particles can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and organ damage in laboratory models, raising concern about what chronic low-level human exposure might mean for long-term health.

Comparison of lung disorders following intratracheal instillation of polystyrene microplastics with different surface functional groups

The Effects of Microplastics on Human Health: at the Cellular Level

Polystyrene Microplastics Disrupt Anticancer Proteins: An In Silico and In Vitro Study

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Molecular docking and cell culture experiments showed that polystyrene microplastics act as competitive inhibitors of melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 — proteins central to anticancer signaling — and bind strongly to complement immune regulators Factor H and Factor I, while also inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis in colon and breast cancer cell lines. These findings suggest microplastic exposure may interfere with the body's own cancer-suppression and immune regulatory mechanisms at the molecular level.