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Papers
2,282 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics in the bloodstream can induce cerebral thrombosis by causing cell obstruction and lead to neurobehavioral abnormalities
Researchers discovered that microplastics in the bloodstream can cause blood clots in the brain by getting swallowed by immune cells that then block tiny blood vessels. These blockages reduced blood flow and caused neurological problems in mice. This reveals a new way microplastics may harm the brain, not by crossing into brain tissue directly, but by disrupting blood circulation.
Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Humans: Distribution, Exposure, and Toxicological Effects
This meta-analysis tracked the rapid growth of research on microplastics and human health, finding a shift from studying environmental pollution toward understanding direct human exposure and health effects. Emerging concerns include reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immune system disruption from microplastic exposure.
A meta-analysis of potential biomarkers associated with microplastic ingestion in marine fish
This meta-analysis found that microplastic exposure induces oxidative stress in marine fish, activating antioxidant defense enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase while inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Both laboratory experiments and wild fish studies confirmed these harmful biochemical responses, indicating that environmental microplastic levels are already causing measurable physiological damage to marine species.
admetSAR3.0: a comprehensive platform for exploration, prediction and optimization of chemical ADMET properties
This paper describes admetSAR3.0, an updated software platform for predicting how chemicals are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body, as well as their toxicity. While not specifically about microplastics, the tool can assess the safety of chemicals found in plastics, including plastic additives and breakdown products. The platform now covers 119 endpoints and includes environmental and cosmetic risk assessments.
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.
Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain
Researchers found microplastic particles in the olfactory bulb, the part of the human brain responsible for the sense of smell. This suggests that microplastics may reach the brain through the nasal passage, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The finding highlights a potential direct route for microplastics to enter the brain, raising concerns about neurotoxicity.
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.
The effects of heavy metal exposure on brain and gut microbiota: A systematic review of animal studies
This systematic review of 16 animal studies found evidence that heavy metal exposure disrupts gut microbiota composition, which may in turn affect brain function through the gut-brain axis. Lead was the most studied metal, and the findings suggest that environmental contaminant-induced gut dysbiosis could mediate neurotoxic effects, a mechanism that may also apply to microplastic exposure.
A review of potential human health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics exposure
This systematic review summarized 133 studies on how micro- and nanoplastics affect human health based on mammalian research. The evidence points to cell damage, inflammation, gut disruption, and reproductive harm, though most studies focused on polystyrene particles and more research is needed on other common plastic types.
An Overview on Microplastics Hazards to the Marine Ecosystem and Humans’ Health
This overview examines how microplastics contaminate marine environments and threaten both ocean life and human health. Microplastics can be swallowed by marine organisms, pass through intestinal walls, spread to other organs, and carry toxic chemicals up the food chain to humans. The main ways people are exposed include eating contaminated seafood, breathing in airborne particles, and skin contact.
A perspective on the potential impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on the human central nervous system
This paper discusses evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier, the protective layer that normally keeps harmful substances out of the brain. If confirmed in humans, this could mean plastic particles contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, though more research is needed to understand the extent of this risk.
Polylactic acid microplastics before and after aging induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish by disrupting the microbiota-gut-brain axis
Researchers exposed zebrafish to microplastics made from PLA, a common biodegradable plastic, and found that both new and aged PLA particles caused brain and nerve damage, including sluggish behavior, memory problems, and increased aggression. Aged PLA particles were even more toxic, and the damage appeared to work through disruption of the gut-brain connection, raising concerns about the safety of biodegradable plastics as they break down in water.
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.
Advances in machine learning for the detection and characterization of microplastics in the environment
This review examines how machine learning and artificial intelligence are being used to speed up and improve the detection of microplastics in the environment. Techniques like neural networks and computer vision can now automatically identify plastic types and count particles much faster than traditional manual methods, though challenges remain in standardizing these approaches.
Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure induces cognitive impairment in mice via induction of oxidative stress and ERK/MAPK-mediated neuronal cuproptosis
This mouse study found that polystyrene nanoplastics caused cognitive impairment by triggering oxidative stress and activating a cell-death process called cuproptosis in brain neurons. The findings suggest that copper buildup and specific signaling pathways may be therapeutic targets for reducing brain damage from nanoplastic exposure, though these results still need to be confirmed in human-relevant models.
Exploring Environmental Behaviors and Health Impacts of Biodegradable Microplastics
Biodegradable plastics are promoted as eco-friendly, but this review finds they may actually break down into microplastics faster than conventional plastics, leading to more rapid accumulation in the environment. Like regular microplastics, these biodegradable fragments can carry pollutants into organisms through a "Trojan horse" effect, and their breakdown products may be even more toxic to the nervous system. The findings suggest we need to carefully weigh the risks of biodegradable plastics against their intended environmental benefits.
Mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics on blood-brain barrier crossing and neurotoxicity: Current evidence and future perspectives
This review examines evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, the protective shield around the brain, through multiple pathways including disrupting the barrier's tight junctions and being transported inside cells. Once in the brain, these particles may cause damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupted iron metabolism, with effects worsened when plastics carry other pollutants like heavy metals.
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.