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Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human Health: Emerging evidence and future directions
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This review summarizes current evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin contact, and the cellular damage they may cause. While microplastic pollution is a recognized environmental hazard, the authors note that definitive evidence linking plastic particle exposure to specific health outcomes in humans is still limited and more realistic exposure studies are needed.
Plastics are extensively used across industries, leading to microplastic (MPL) and nanoplastic (NPL) contamination in ecosystems. Exposure to these particles occurs primarily through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, raising significant human health concerns. This review critically evaluates recent advancements in understanding the human health impacts of MPLs/NPLs, focusing on their routes of exposure including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, and the mechanisms of cellular uptake and toxicity. While MPL/NPL pollution is a well-recognised environmental hazard, the conclusive evidence linking their exposure to specific health outcomes in humans remains limited. We discuss methodological gaps in assessing their toxicological impacts, particularly in vitro models, and the need for more sophisticated in vivo studies to simulate real-life exposures. Future research directions, including the exploration of the corona formation on MPL/NPL particles and its influence on cellular interactions, are outlined to bridge existing knowledge gaps. © 2025 The Authors
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This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics can enter the human body through the gut, lungs, and skin, and what potential health effects they might cause at the cellular level. While there is growing evidence that these particles trigger toxic responses in cells, research into their specific effects inside the human body is still limited. The paper calls for more studies on how nanoplastics in particular move through human tissue barriers and what long-term damage they may cause.
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This review summarizes existing research on how tiny plastic particles called microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, water, air, and skin contact. Studies cited suggest these particles may build up in tissues and are linked to inflammation, immune problems, and other health issues, though long-term human health risks remain unclear.
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This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics are found throughout the environment and in human samples, entering the body through food, air, and skin contact. Lab studies in cells and animals show microplastics can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, immune reactions, brain toxicity, and reproductive harm, and early human health data links microplastic exposure to several chronic diseases.
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