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Papers
4,029 resultsThe neurotoxic threat of micro- and nanoplastics: evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo models
This systematic review examined 26 studies showing that micro- and nanoplastics can cross into the brain, damage neurons, and trigger inflammation in lab and animal models. These findings raise concerns that long-term plastic exposure could contribute to neurological problems in humans, though more research is needed.
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.
Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review
This systematic review examined studies on how microplastic exposure affects human digestive, reproductive, and respiratory health. Early evidence suggests links to gut inflammation, reproductive issues, and lung irritation, though the review notes that more high-quality human studies are urgently needed.
A systematic review of the impacts of exposure to micro- and nano-plastics on human tissue accumulation and health
This systematic review found growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in human tissues including lungs, gut, and blood, with lab studies showing potential disruption to immune, reproductive, endocrine, and nervous systems. The review identifies ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact as the three main exposure routes and highlights that the smallest nanoplastic particles pose the greatest concern due to their ability to cross biological barriers.
First evidence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: An emerging threat to female fertility
For the first time, researchers detected microplastic particles in the fluid surrounding eggs in human ovaries. Tiny plastic particles were found in 14 out of 18 women undergoing fertility treatment, and higher microplastic levels correlated with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone, a key reproductive hormone. While no direct link to fertility outcomes was confirmed in this small study, the findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure and female reproductive health.
The micro(nano)plastics perspective: exploring cancer development and therapy
This review explores the emerging link between microplastics and cancer development. Microplastics can trigger chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption, all of which are known pathways that may promote cancer growth. Interestingly, researchers are also studying whether engineered microplastics could be used as drug carriers for cancer therapy, though long-term effects remain unclear.
Impact of microplastics on the human gut microbiome: a systematic review of microbial composition, diversity, and metabolic disruptions
This systematic review of 12 studies found that microplastics including polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC induce gut dysbiosis in humans, reducing beneficial bacteria and enriching pathogens. Microplastic exposure also impairs short-chain fatty acid production and modulates immune pathways, contributing to intestinal disease, metabolic syndrome, and chronic inflammation.
Nanoplastics and Immune Disruption: A Systematic Review of Exposure Routes, Mechanisms, and Health Implications
This systematic review found that nanoplastics — extremely tiny plastic particles — can cross biological barriers and disrupt immune function in laboratory studies. The evidence suggests these particles may trigger inflammation and could potentially contribute to autoimmune conditions, though human studies are still limited.
A Review of Sources, Hazards, and Removal Methods of Microplastics in the Environment
This systematic review provides a comprehensive look at where microplastics come from, what risks they pose, and how they can be removed from the environment. The review covers contamination in air, water, and soil, noting that microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and harm both ecosystems and human health.
Assessing the Impact of Nanoplastics in Biological Systems: Systematic Review of In Vitro Animal Studies
This systematic review of lab studies found that nanoplastics can damage cells in the gut, lungs, liver, brain, and reproductive organs of animals. These ultra-small plastic particles appear capable of crossing biological barriers and causing inflammation and oxidative stress, raising concerns about similar effects in humans.
Microplastics in human skeletal tissues: Presence, distribution and health implications
This study is the first to find microplastics in human bones, cartilage, and spinal discs, with the highest concentrations found in spinal discs. The most common plastics detected were polypropylene and polystyrene, and animal experiments confirmed that microplastics can reach skeletal tissues through the bloodstream. Exposure triggered inflammatory markers in the blood, suggesting microplastics in bones could contribute to skeletal health problems.
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.
Microplastics comprehensive review: Impact on honey bee, occurrence in honey and health risk evaluation
This systematic review examines how microplastics contaminate honey through bees and their environment. The findings show that bees accumulate microplastics from polluted air, water, and soil, which can then end up in honey — a product many people consume for its health benefits.
Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains
Researchers found microplastics in human brain, liver, and kidney tissue samples, with plastic levels significantly higher in samples from 2024 compared to 2016. The brain contained especially high levels of polyethylene, and brains from people with dementia had even more plastic accumulation. These findings suggest that microplastics are building up in human organs over time, raising urgent questions about potential health effects.
Can Mammalian Reproductive Health Withstand Massive Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Derivatives? A Systematic Review
This systematic review examined how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect reproductive health in mammals. The evidence from animal studies shows these particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances in reproductive organs, raising concerns about potential effects on human fertility.
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.
Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges
This review examines how microplastics deposited in human lungs can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced lung function. Because these tiny particles can reach deep into the lungs where oxygen enters the blood, they raise concerns about long-term respiratory disease and the possibility of spreading to other organs.
Disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics led to spermatogenesis disorder in mice exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics caused spermatogenesis disorders in mice by disrupting mitochondrial dynamics, triggering excessive mitochondrial fission that activated both apoptosis and pyroptosis pathways in testicular tissue. Nanoplastics caused mitochondrial DNA to leak into the cytoplasm, activating the cGAS-STING inflammatory pathway — a mechanism confirmed by rescue experiments with a mitochondrial fission inhibitor.
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.
Hazards of microplastics exposure to liver function in fishes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This meta-analysis found that microplastic exposure significantly impairs fish liver function, elevating key liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH) and triggering oxidative stress markers in liver tissue. The toxicological mechanisms include inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolic disruption, raising concerns about the health of fish populations in microplastic-contaminated waters and the safety of fish as a human food source.
The potential impact of nano- and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risks.
This review summarizes how nano- and microplastics enter the human body through breathing, eating, drinking, and skin contact, and then accumulate in organs over time. Studies have linked this buildup to respiratory problems like asthma and lung cancer, gut inflammation, disrupted gut bacteria, and neurological symptoms. At the cellular level, plastics cause DNA damage and cell death, though more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health risks in humans.
Features, Potential Invasion Pathways, and Reproductive Health Risks of Microplastics Detected in Human Uterus
Researchers found microplastics in the uterine lining of 22 women, identifying common plastics like polyamide, polyurethane, and PET in sizes ranging from 2 to 200 micrometers. In mouse experiments, microplastic exposure led to reduced fertility, abnormal offspring sex ratios, and significant uterine inflammation. These findings raise serious concerns about the potential impact of microplastic contamination on female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes.
A Self-Cascade Penetrating Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Mediated by Near-Infrared II Cell Membrane-Disrupting Nanoflakes via Detained Dendritic Cells
This study developed nanoparticle-based technology to treat aggressive brain tumors (glioblastoma) by penetrating deep into tumor tissue and activating the immune system against cancer cells. While not directly about microplastic pollution, it demonstrates that nanoparticles can cross brain barriers and influence immune responses. The research is relevant because it shows how tiny particles, including plastics, can access and affect the brain.