Exposure to Nanoplastics and Co-Contaminants in Foods and Environment: Threats to Human Health

Nanoplastics have emerged as significant global pollutants, drawing worldwide concern. Due to their small particle size, large specific surface area, and high surface activity, nanoplastics can combine with other environmental contaminants, including environmental nanoparticles, persistent organic pollutants, antibiotics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This review summarizes recent progress on the environmental behavior of nanoplastics and their complex effects on food safety when co-exposed to various contaminants. These composite pollutants accumulate in foods and the environment, and are ultimately taken up by humans, posing potential toxic effects on human health. In the future, the interaction mechanisms between environmental NPs and various co-contaminants, as well as their transfer routes from food to humans, should be addressed.