Microplastics and human health: Exposure pathways, toxicity mechanisms, and future research challenges

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

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: 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.

Health risk of human exposure to microplastics: a review

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Researchers reviewed the human health risks of microplastic exposure across multiple organ systems, finding evidence that these particles trigger oxidative stress, disrupt gut microbiota, impair liver and cardiovascular function, suppress immunity, and — through leached additives like phthalates — act as endocrine disruptors with synergistic effects when combined with co-occurring environmental pollutants.

Microplastics and nanoplastics in human health: a comprehensive review of exposure pathways, cellular mechanisms, and toxicological implications

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Researchers reviewed human exposure pathways to microplastics and nanoplastics through seafood, salt, drinking water, inhalation, and skin contact, examining how these particles cross biological barriers to reach organs and trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption with poorly understood long-term consequences.