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Papers
1,070 resultsLeaf absorption contributes to accumulation of microplastics in plants
Researchers found that plant leaves can absorb tiny plastic particles directly from the air, not just through the roots. Leafy vegetables grown outdoors in polluted areas contained measurable amounts of common plastics like PET and polystyrene. This means airborne microplastics may be entering our food supply through the plants we eat.
An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses Evaluating Associations between Human Health and Exposure to Major Classes of Plastic-Associated Chemicals
This umbrella review — a review of existing meta-analyses — assessed the health effects of chemicals found in plastics, including BPA, phthalates, and PFAS. The evidence links these plastic-associated chemicals to hormonal disruption, reproductive problems, metabolic issues, and increased cancer risk across many studies.
Health impacts of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure
This review examines the growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross barriers in the lungs and gut, enter the bloodstream, and reach organs like the brain, placenta, and reproductive system. Early clinical studies suggest links to immune changes, heart problems, and reproductive effects, though more research is needed. Better methods for measuring plastic exposure in humans are critical to understanding the true health risks.
Micro- and nano-plastics in the atmosphere: A review of occurrence, properties and human health risks
This review summarizes research on tiny plastic particles floating in the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors. Studies show that inhaling these airborne microplastics and nanoplastics can trigger immune responses, oxidative stress, and cell death, potentially contributing to cardiovascular disease and reproductive problems, though standardized testing methods are still needed.
Discovery and analysis of microplastics in human bone marrow
For the first time, researchers detected microplastics in human bone marrow, finding plastic particles in all 16 samples tested. The most common types were polyethylene and polystyrene, with about 90% of particles smaller than 100 micrometers. This discovery shows that microplastics can penetrate deep into the body and reach the tissue where blood cells are made, raising questions about potential effects on blood cell production and immune function.
Molecular and Cellular Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Focus on Inflammation and Senescence
This review summarizes research showing that micro- and nanoplastics trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and premature cell aging across many experimental models. These are the same biological processes linked to heart disease, brain disorders, and other age-related conditions. Particularly concerning, studies in animals show that plastic-related damage can be passed from parents to offspring, suggesting potential long-term generational health effects.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events
This landmark clinical study found that patients with micro- and nanoplastics detected in their carotid artery plaque had a significantly higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death over a 34-month follow-up period compared to those without detectable plastics. This is one of the first studies to directly link microplastic presence in human blood vessels to worse cardiovascular outcomes. The findings suggest that plastic accumulation in arteries may be an important and previously unrecognized risk factor for heart disease.
The triple exposure nexus of microplastic particles, plastic-associated chemicals, and environmental pollutants from a human health perspective
This review introduces the idea of a "triple exposure" from microplastics: the physical plastic particles themselves, the chemicals built into the plastic during manufacturing, and environmental pollutants that stick to plastic surfaces. All three exposure types can enter the human body through food, water, and air, and may have combined health effects that are worse than any single exposure alone. The authors argue that health risk assessments need to account for all three factors together.
Microplastics and Oxidative Stress—Current Problems and Prospects
This review examines how microplastics cause oxidative stress, a condition where harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells. Microplastics have been linked to DNA damage, cell membrane disruption, mitochondrial problems, inflammation, and cell death, all driven by oxidative stress. These effects may contribute to serious health conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease, though the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the risks.
Microplastics in human blood: Polymer types, concentrations and characterisation using μFTIR
Scientists analyzed blood from 20 healthy volunteers and found microplastics in 90% of samples, identifying 24 different plastic types including many reported for the first time in blood. The particles were mostly small fragments averaging about 128 micrometers long, and the study also detected hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates attached to the plastics. This adds to growing evidence that a wide variety of plastic particles are circulating in human blood.
Microplastics in three types of human arteries detected by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS)
Researchers detected microplastics in all 17 human artery samples tested, including coronary arteries, carotid arteries, and the aorta. Arteries with atherosclerotic plaques (hardened, narrowed areas) contained significantly more microplastics than plaque-free arteries. This suggests that microplastic accumulation may be associated with atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries that is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
The world of plastic waste: A review
This review provides a broad overview of the global plastic waste crisis, noting that over 359 million tons of plastic are produced annually and much of it ends up polluting the environment. Plastics break down into micro and nano sizes that spread through air, water, and soil, harming wildlife through ingestion and entanglement and threatening human health through cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and cancer. The authors discuss end-of-life solutions including recycling, energy recovery, and biodegradable alternatives.
Environmental Pollutants as Emerging Concerns for Cardiac Diseases: A Review on Their Impacts on Cardiac Health
This review examines how environmental pollutants, including micro- and nanoplastics along with air pollution, heavy metals, and PFAS chemicals, contribute to heart disease. These pollutants trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to blood vessel linings, and the review highlights that combined exposures may be more harmful than any single pollutant alone.
Exposure to polyethylene terephthalate micro(nano)plastics exacerbates inflammation and fibrosis after myocardial infarction by reprogramming the gut and lung microbiota and metabolome
Researchers found that PET microplastics and nanoplastics, one of the most common plastic types found in human coronary blood, worsen heart damage after a heart attack. The plastic particles activated an inflammatory pathway (NLRP3) and disrupted the balance of gut and lung bacteria, leading to chronic inflammation and increased scarring of heart tissue. These findings suggest that plastic pollution exposure may make recovery from heart attacks more difficult.
Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the kidney and cardiovascular system
This review summarizes evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics found in human hearts, kidneys, blood, and urine can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and metabolic disruption. Kidney dialysis patients may face especially high exposure, and clinical evidence suggests particulate plastic exposure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure on macrophages: a review of molecular and cellular mechanisms
This review details how macrophages, key immune cells, respond when they engulf micro- and nanoplastics. The particles trigger inflammatory signaling, damage mitochondria and lysosomes, cause excessive production of harmful reactive oxygen species, and can lead to cell death, while in fat tissue they promote fat buildup and insulin resistance.
Exploring the ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics on freshwater fish: A critical review
This review examines how microplastics affect freshwater fish, which often mistake the tiny particles for food. Once ingested, microplastics do not stay in the gut -- they enter the bloodstream and spread to the gills, liver, brain, heart, and reproductive organs, causing hormonal, immune, neurological, and reproductive problems. Because microplastics build up in the food chain, the contamination of fish has broader implications for other animals and for people who eat freshwater fish.
Microplastics in our diet: A growing concern for human health
Microplastics smaller than 5 millimeters are entering our food through drinking water, salt, seafood, packaged food, and even alcoholic beverages. Once consumed, these particles have been detected in human blood, feces, breast milk, liver, and other tissues, showing they can accumulate throughout the body. Emerging evidence links microplastic exposure to inflammation, oxidative stress, gut problems, brain effects, reproductive harm, and cardiovascular risks.
A systematic review of the effects of nanoplastics on fish
This systematic review examines how nanoplastics (extremely small plastic particles) affect fish, including their ability to cross biological barriers and accumulate in tissues. The findings are relevant to human health because fish are a major dietary protein source, and understanding how plastics move through aquatic food chains helps us assess our own exposure risks.
Health benefits of fish and fish by-products—a nutritional and functional perspective
This review highlights the nutritional benefits of fish as a source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and bioactive compounds that protect against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and neurological disorders. However, it also notes that some fish species are contaminated with harmful substances, which is relevant given that microplastics in aquatic environments can accumulate in fish and transfer toxins up the food chain.
Exploring toxicological pathways of microplastics and nanoplastics: Insights from animal and cellular models
This review examines what animal and cell studies have revealed about how microplastics and nanoplastics cause harm at the molecular level, including promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death. Most research has focused on reproductive toxicity and polystyrene particles, while effects on the gut, brain, and heart remain understudied. The authors note that many experiments use unrealistic concentrations and synthetic particles, making it difficult to apply the results to real-world human exposure.
Impact of Microplastics on Human Health: Risks, Diseases, and Affected Body Systems
This review summarizes how microplastics made of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene affect multiple body systems, causing inflammation in the lungs and gut, weakening immune function, and increasing risks of cardiovascular disease and brain toxicity. These particles also disrupt hormones, which may lead to reproductive problems and elevated cancer risk, underscoring the need for stronger regulations on plastic materials.
Mechanistic insight into potential toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health
This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the body through breathing, eating, and skin contact, then travel through the bloodstream to deposit in organs. Studies show they can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysfunction, genetic damage, developmental abnormalities, and potentially cancer, though most evidence comes from cell and animal studies rather than human research.
Microplastics and nanoplastics increase major adverse cardiac events in patients with myocardial infarction
In a study of 142 heart attack patients, researchers found microplastics and nanoplastics in the coronary blood of nearly all participants, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) detected in over 95% of samples. Higher PVC levels were linked to increased inflammatory markers and a significantly greater risk of major heart complications over the 31.5-month follow-up period. For every 10-unit increase in PVC concentration, the risk of a major cardiac event more than doubled.