We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic serves as a potential vector for Cr in an in-vitro human digestive model
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether microplastics could transport chromium into the human body using an in-vitro digestive model simulating the mouth, stomach, and intestines. They found that chromium was released from contaminated microplastics primarily in the stomach phase, with biodegradable polylactic acid releasing the highest proportion despite having the weakest initial adsorption. The study suggests that microplastics may act as vectors for delivering heavy metals into the human digestive system.
Microplastics (MPs), polymer particles capable of adsorbing heavy metals from ambient environment, have been found in diverse human food resources. Through the consumption of MPs, heavy metals adsorbed on MPs might be transported into human body. This study aims to explore the behavior of heavy metal-contaminated MPs in human digestive system which is not previously researched. Firstly, a chromium (Cr) adsorption/desorption study was conducted with four commonly used nondegradable MPs [polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS)] as well as one degradable MP (polylactic, PLA). Then, the whole digestive system in-vitro method (WDSM), a systematic model including mouth, gastric, small intestine, and large intestine digestive phases, was conducted on the Cr-loaded MPs. Additionally, the bioaccessibilities and hazard quotients (HQs) of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) were evaluated. Among five MPs, although PLA showed the weakest adsorption capacity for Cr, the Cr(VI) bioaccessibilities for PLA reached the highest values of 19.9%, 15.6% and 3.9% in gastric, small intestinal and large intestinal phases, respectively. The bioaccessibilities of Cr(VI) in gastric phase were significantly higher than those in other phases, while no Cr release from MPs was detected in the mouth phase. In gastric phase, the bioaccessibilities of Cr(VI) were significantly higher than those of Cr(III) in the gastric phase, and both of them approached to a similar level in intestinal phases. In the WDSM, the HQs of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) on MPs were lower than the critical level for both adults and children. Based on the measured bioaccessibilities, the maximum daily total Cr intake for different human groups (female children, male children, female adults and male adults) through MP consumption was estimated from 0.50 to 1.18 μg/day. In general, the five tested MPs were potential to serve as Cr vectors in the WDSM.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics as Vectors of Chromium and Lead during Dynamic Simulation of the Human Gastrointestinal Tract
AI summary Read the abstract
Using a dynamic in vitro simulator of the human gastrointestinal tract, researchers showed that chromium and lead adsorbed to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics are released and become bioaccessible in gut conditions, suggesting microplastics can act as vectors delivering heavy metals to human tissues.
Bioaccessibility of microplastic-associated heavy metals using an in vitro digestion model and its implications for human health risk assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated the bioaccessibility of heavy metals associated with microplastics using an in vitro digestion model to assess human health risks. The study found significant adsorption of arsenic, chromium, cadmium, and lead onto polyvinyl chloride microplastics, with varying bioaccessibility across different digestive phases. The findings suggest that incorporating bioaccessibility data into risk assessments may provide more accurate estimates of health risks from ingesting microplastic-associated heavy metals.
Microplastics as a Trojan horse for trace metals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that microplastics can absorb toxic metals from surrounding water and release them in conditions mimicking the human gut, essentially acting as a "Trojan horse" that transports heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and chromium into the body alongside the plastic particles.
How Digestive Processes Can Affect the Bioavailability of PCBs Associated with Microplastics: A Modeling Study Supported by Empirical Data
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a simulated human digestive model to study whether gut processes change how quickly chemicals like PCBs transfer on and off microplastic particles. They found that digestive enzymes and bile salts significantly accelerated the release of these chemicals from microplastics, suggesting that the human gut environment may increase exposure to plastic-associated pollutants. The study provides new evidence that microplastics could act as carriers that release harmful chemicals more readily during digestion.
Migration of Metals from Microplastics into Simulated Gastric Fluid: The Role of Particle Size and Comparison with Leaching from Bulk Plastics in Food Simulants
AI summary Read the abstract
Lab tests measured how much metal leached from plastic food containers and from microplastic particles of different sizes when placed in simulated stomach fluid. Smaller particles released more metal, but much of the metal stayed bound within the plastic. Calculations suggested the whole plastic containers posed potentially greater leaching concern than the microplastic particles.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.