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Fate and enzymatic response of co-exposed photoaged nanoplastic and PFAS: Insights from a human gastrointestinal simulation
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This study simulated human digestion to examine what happens when nanoplastics and PFAS (forever chemicals) are consumed together. Sun-aged nanoplastics were far more bioaccessible in the digestive system than fresh ones, and the combination with certain PFAS types increased absorption of both pollutants. The results suggest that real-world exposure, where weathered nanoplastics and forever chemicals co-exist, may pose greater health risks than studies of individual pollutants indicate.
This study investigated the bioaccessibility and enzymatic response of nanoplastics (NPs) and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with different chain length and functional groups during co-exposure in simulated human gastrointestinal digestion. The important role of phototransformation of NPs in these processes was also assessed. Results showed that the bioaccessibility of photoaged NPs (ANPs) in the oral, gastric, and intestinal phases was 51.58-, 1.39-, and 5.50-fold of NPs, respectively. Co-exposure of ANPs and short-chain PFBA significantly increased the bioaccessibility of ANPs in the oral and the intestinal phases by 56.41 % and 41.98 %, respectively, and the bioaccessibility of PFBA was increased by 27.58 % and 163.57 %. However, in the gastric phase, co-exposure significantly reduced the bioavailability of PFAS, NPs, and ANPs by 10.77 %-93.61 %, 9.21 %-42.38 %, and 55.07 %-83.00 %, respectively. Pepsin activity was also significantly inhibited by 11.40 %-16.32 % in co-exposure treatments. Atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy revealed that ANPs underwent surface chemical modifications in the gastric phase, with subsequent altering their interaction with pepsin. Molecular docking results showed that NPs primarily binds to pepsin through hydrophobic interaction near the tyrosine and alanine residues, and NPs+PFOA showed the highest binding stability with pepsin. The findings enhance the understanding of human health of co-exposed NPs and PFAS.
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Weathered microplastics reshape gastrointestinal responses to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances during co-exposure
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Researchers studied how weathered plastic particles and PFAS chemicals (often called "forever chemicals") affect human intestinal cells and mice when combined. Combined exposure reduced some immediate cell damage but worsened others, including mitochondrial problems, intestinal inflammation, and changes to gut bacteria and gene activity, showing that plastics reshape rather than simply increase or decrease PFAS effects.
A tale of two emerging contaminants: Interfacial interactions, co-transport behaviors and ecotoxicological implications between per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances and micro(nano)plastics.
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This review examined how PFAS and micro/nanoplastics co-occur in the environment, form interfacial adsorption complexes, and interact synergistically within organisms. The authors found that the two contaminant classes amplify each other's toxicity in co-exposure scenarios and that their shared transport pathways complicate standard risk assessment.
Exacerbated interfacial impacts of nanoplastics and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate by natural organic matter in adult zebrafish: Evidence through histopathology, gut microbiota, and transcriptomic analysis
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In a zebrafish study, nanoplastics combined with a fluorinated chemical pollutant and natural organic matter caused more severe liver and intestinal damage than any single pollutant alone. The mixture triggered greater oxidative stress, gut inflammation, and harmful changes to gut bacteria. This research shows that in the real world, where nanoplastics mix with other pollutants, the combined health effects may be worse than studies of individual chemicals suggest.
Unraveling the complexities of microplastics and PFAS synergy to foster sustainable environmental remediation and ecosystem protection: A critical review with novel insights
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This review examines how microplastics and PFAS (sometimes called 'forever chemicals') interact in the environment, since both often come from the same everyday products. The authors found that microplastics can carry PFAS on their surface, and when organisms are exposed to both together, the combined toxic effects including oxidative stress and reproductive harm can be worse than either pollutant alone.
Microplastics and PFAS as ubiquitous pollutants affect potencies of highly toxic chemicals in mixtures
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Researchers investigated how ubiquitous pollutants like PFAS and microplastics affect the toxicity of other highly toxic chemicals when present together in mixtures. They found that even at non-toxic concentrations, PFAS and microplastics could alter the potency of co-occurring toxic compounds. The study highlights the importance of considering pollutant interactions in complex environmental mixtures rather than assessing chemicals in isolation.
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