Microplastics in the human body and environment: Pathways, health impacts, detection, and removal strategies

Microplastics in human body: a narrative on routes of exposure to contamination and potential health effects

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Tiny plastic particles from our environment and food are getting into our bodies through eating, drinking, and breathing, and this review of existing research shows they've been found in organs like the liver, heart, and lungs. Scientists are concerned that as these particles build up over time, they may cause cell damage, inflammation, and stress on the body, though more research is still needed to fully understand the long-term health risks. The takeaway: microplastic exposure is nearly impossible to avoid completely, but reducing contact with plastic packaging and products may help limit how much ends up in your body.

Microplastics: Sources, Interactions, and Impacts in Humans

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Researchers reviewed how microplastic fragments smaller than 5 mm form from degraded consumer products and enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. The paper summarizes known and suspected health impacts across organ systems and identifies key research gaps in understanding long-term human exposure.

Microplastic Pollution: Human Exposure, Uptake, Accumulation Pathways, and Potential Health Consequences

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Researchers reviewed the exposure routes, uptake mechanisms, and accumulation pathways of microplastics in the human body, concluding that the ubiquitous presence of these particles warrants urgent investigation into their long-term ecological and health consequences.

Microplastics and Human Health: A Comprehensive Review of Exposure Pathways, Biological Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications

Microplastics in Human Health

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Researchers reviewed the detection of microplastics across freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments and synthesized emerging evidence on their health effects in humans. The paper examines how particle characteristics — origin, shape, and polymer type — influence toxicological outcomes and bioavailability.