Papers

Atmospheric microplastics deposition in a central Indian city: Distribution, characteristics and seasonal variations

Researchers measured airborne microplastic fallout in the Indian city of Nagpur and found 213 to 543 particles per square meter per day raining down from the sky, mostly tiny fibers from textiles. Children's estimated inhalation exposure was nearly double that of adults relative to body weight, raising particular health concerns about microplastic exposure through the air we breathe.

A comprehensive assessment of macro and microplastics from Rivers Ganga and Yamuna: Unveiling the seasonal, spatial and risk factors

This study provides the first comprehensive look at plastic pollution in India's Ganga and Yamuna rivers, finding microplastics in surface water, deeper water, and sediments at all sampling locations. Contamination was higher during the wet season, and some of the polymers found are classified as hazardous. The millions of people living in the Indo-Gangetic Plain may be at risk from both direct water contact and indirect exposure through the food chain.

Extraction and Analysis of Microplastics in the Soil of Diamond City, Surat (Gujarat, India): Ecological Risk, Pollution Indices, and Greenness Evaluation

This first-of-its-kind study examined microplastic contamination in the soil of Surat, India's diamond-cutting capital, finding an average of about 103 particles per 100 grams of soil. Polyethylene and polypropylene made up the majority of particles, likely originating from packaging and industrial activities. The ecological risk assessment rated several sampling sites as high risk, raising concerns about microplastic exposure for the local population through dust and soil contact.

The polymers and their additives in particulate plastics: What makes them hazardous to the fauna?

This review argues that microplastics should not be treated as a single category because different plastic types have very different chemical properties and health risks. Each polymer carries its own set of chemical additives like flame retardants, plasticizers, and stabilizers, which can leach out and cause additional harm to organisms. Understanding the specific dangers of each plastic type and its additives is essential for accurately assessing the true health risks of microplastic exposure.

Ecotoxicological impacts of landfill sites: Towards risk assessment, mitigation policies and the role of artificial intelligence

This review examines the health and environmental risks posed by landfill sites, which act as reservoirs for both legacy and emerging pollutants including microplastics. Unregulated waste disposal and leachate contamination are linked to diseases in nearby communities, and laboratory studies show toxic effects on organisms from bacteria to birds. The authors recommend improving landfill design, leachate treatment, and exploring artificial intelligence to better predict and manage these pollution risks.

Microplastics as an emerging source of particulate air pollution: A critical review

This review examines airborne microplastics as a form of particulate air pollution, highlighting risks especially for factory workers who handle plastics. Microplastics have been detected in both indoor and outdoor air, where they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The authors note significant gaps in understanding how airborne microplastics affect air quality and human respiratory health, and call for better monitoring and occupational safety standards.

Impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastic on growth, photosynthesis and nutrient uptake of Solanum lycopersicum L. (Tomato)

Adding PVC microplastics to soil reduced tomato plant growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake in a dose-dependent manner, even though no visible damage appeared on the leaves. At the molecular level, the microplastics disrupted genes and proteins involved in photosynthesis and nutrient absorption. This matters for food safety because microplastics in agricultural soils could reduce crop yields and potentially enter the food supply.

Preliminary investigations on the occurrence and risk assessment of microplastics in the Bhoj wetland: a Ramsar site in Bhopal, Central India

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in a protected wetland in Central India, finding 2.4 to 6.6 particles per liter of water. The microplastics, mainly polyethylene and polypropylene, likely came from tourist activities and nearby sewage treatment plants. While the current health risk was calculated as within acceptable levels, the study highlights that even protected wetland areas used for recreation and drinking water are not free from microplastic pollution.

Sewage treatment plants as a potential source of microplastics in the environment: A preliminary study in Central India

This study examined sewage treatment plants in Central India and found that they release significant amounts of microplastics into the environment through both treated water and sludge. Since conventional treatment plants were not designed to filter out microplastics, these tiny particles pass through and end up in rivers and on farmland where sludge is used as fertilizer. This creates pathways for microplastics to enter drinking water and the food supply.

Micro/nanoplastics and human health: A review of the evidence, consequences, and toxicity assessment

This review summarizes evidence that micro and nanoplastics have been found in multiple human organs and body fluids, where they can alter cell shape, damage mitochondria, reduce cell survival, and cause oxidative stress. The health effects depend heavily on the size, shape, and chemical makeup of the particles, with smaller nanoplastics generally posing the greatest risk because they penetrate deeper into tissues. The review provides a framework for assessing how dangerous different types of plastic particles are to human health.

Comprehensive Review on Bio-Based Treatments for Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic

Researchers reviewed the state of biological treatment for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, cataloguing microorganisms, enzymes — including peroxidases and laccase — and metabolic pathways capable of attacking PVC polymers, while highlighting that bio-based approaches remain far less developed than those for PVC additives and plasticizers.

Combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and carbendazim on Eisenia fetida: A comprehensive ecotoxicological study

Researchers studied the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and the pesticide carbendazim on earthworms and found that the two pollutants together caused worse damage than either alone. The combined exposure led to growth problems, oxidative stress, and organ damage even at lower concentrations. Since earthworms are essential for soil health and microplastics and pesticides commonly co-exist in farmland, these findings suggest that agricultural soil contamination could have cascading effects on the food system.

Biodegradable Electrospun Membranes for Sustainable Industrial Applications

This review examines biodegradable electrospun membranes, which are ultra-thin fiber materials made from natural or plant-based polymers, for use in water treatment, food packaging, and medical applications. These membranes offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic-based materials that contribute to microplastic pollution. By breaking down safely after use, they could help reduce the flow of microplastic particles into the environment.

Detection and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater

This book provides a comprehensive overview of how to detect and treat emerging contaminants in wastewater, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and antibiotic-resistant genes. It covers how microplastics behave in different treatment plants and accumulate in sewage sludge, highlighting gaps in current cleanup methods. The work is important because wastewater treatment is a key point where microplastics can either be captured or released into the environment and eventually into drinking water.

Rehashing Our Insight of Seaweeds as a Potential Source of Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmaceuticals

This review summarizes research on seaweed as a source of beneficial compounds including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and other health-promoting substances. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because seaweeds grow in marine environments increasingly contaminated with microplastics. Understanding the health benefits of seaweed also requires considering the potential risks of microplastic contamination in these marine food sources.

Do microplastics accumulate in penguin internal organs? Evidence from Svenner island, Antarctica

Scientists examined the internal organs of Adelie penguins from Antarctica and found microplastics in their digestive systems, muscles, and other tissues, the first comprehensive study of microplastic accumulation in penguin organs. The most common plastics found were polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene, likely ingested through contaminated prey. This finding shows that microplastic pollution has reached even the most remote ecosystems and is building up inside top predators.

Estimated exposure to microplastics through national and local brands of bottled water in Central India

Researchers tested bottled water from national and local brands in central India and found microplastics in every single sample, with local brands containing about three times more than national brands. The most common particles were polyethylene and PET fragments, likely coming from the plastic bottles and caps themselves. The study estimated that people drinking bottled water in India could be consuming tens of thousands of microplastic particles per year, highlighting bottled water as a significant source of human exposure.

Polyethylene microplastics disrupt focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling and sertoli cell metabolism, compromising blood-testis barrier function and spermatogenesis

Researchers exposed rats to polyethylene microplastics orally for 56 days and found dose-dependent damage to the blood-testis barrier, a structure critical for protecting developing sperm. The microplastics disrupted key signaling pathways in Sertoli cells, which support sperm development, leading to reduced sperm quality and altered testicular metabolism. The study suggests that polyethylene microplastic exposure may compromise male reproductive function by destabilizing the protective environment around developing sperm cells.

Nanoplastics from single-use polyethylene terephthalate bottles impair the functionality of human gut-dwelling <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> and induce toxicity in human cells

Researchers synthesized nanoplastics from single-use PET water bottles and tested their effects on the gut probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, red blood cells, and human lung cells. They found that the nanoplastics reduced probiotic survival in a dose-dependent manner, damaged cell membranes, and impaired the bacteria's beneficial functions including antioxidant activity. The study provides evidence that nanoplastics released from everyday plastic bottles could disrupt important gut bacteria and harm human cells.

Global marine plastic pollution: Sources, distribution, implications on human health and mitigation strategies

Micro/nano-plastics occurrence, identification, risk analysis and mitigation: challenges and perspectives

This review provides a comprehensive overview of micro- and nanoplastic pollution, covering their sources, occurrence in different environments, identification methods, and potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Researchers examined current analytical techniques and found significant gaps in the ability to detect and quantify the smallest plastic particles. The study outlines mitigation strategies including improved waste management, advanced filtration, and biodegradable alternatives.

Impact of aquatic microplastics and nanoplastics pollution on ecological systems and sustainable remediation strategies of biodegradation and photodegradation

This review covers the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on aquatic ecosystems and evaluates emerging remediation strategies. Researchers examined how these particles enter food chains and pose health risks when ingested by aquatic organisms or humans. The study highlights promising biodegradation and photodegradation approaches, including microbial, enzymatic, and metal oxide-assisted methods, as eco-friendly ways to break down microplastic contamination.

Airway Epithelium: A Neglected but Crucial Cell Type in Asthma Pathobiology

This review explores the emerging role of airway epithelial cells in asthma, arguing they are not merely passive victims of immune responses but active drivers of the disease. The study suggests that the airway epithelium both maintains lung health through its defense systems and can trigger inflammatory responses through alarmin signaling, and that restoring epithelial health may help reduce asthma symptoms.

Identification and physico-chemical characterization of microplastics in marine aerosols over the northeast Arabian Sea

Researchers collected and analyzed airborne microplastics over the northeast Arabian Sea during two sampling campaigns and found microplastics present in marine aerosols at all locations. Fibers were the most common form, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene, likely originating from land-based sources transported by wind. The study provides important baseline data on atmospheric microplastic pollution over open ocean regions that had not been previously measured.