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Papers
73 resultsShowing papers from City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Research Institute
ClearHuman Exposure to Microplastics and Its Associated Health Risks
This review examines how microplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin, and have been detected in stool, blood, and tissues. Research in lab animals and human cells shows that microplastics can disrupt digestion, immunity, the nervous system, and reproduction, and can also amplify the toxicity of other environmental pollutants they carry.
Cell Cycle Control of Nanoplastics Internalization in Phytoplankton
This study found that tiny nanoplastic particles are taken up by cells at different rates depending on the cell's growth stage, with cells in the dividing phase absorbing the most. This matters for human health because it suggests that actively growing tissues may be more vulnerable to nanoplastic accumulation.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Profiling Cellular Heterogeneity and Specific Responses of Fish Gills to Microplastics and Nanoplastics
Using advanced single-cell sequencing, researchers mapped how individual cell types in fish gills respond differently to micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Microplastics mainly affected immune cells called macrophages, while nanoplastics primarily targeted T cells, and a structural cell type called fibroblasts was especially sensitive to microplastics. This detailed cell-level view reveals that plastic particles of different sizes can trigger distinct immune and tissue responses.
Accumulation Kinetics and Gut Microenvironment Responses to Environmentally Relevant Doses of Micro/Nanoplastics by Zooplankton <i>Daphnia Magna</i>
This study tracked how tiny zooplankton (Daphnia magna) accumulate micro and nanoplastics of different sizes and surface charges at environmentally realistic concentrations. The organisms readily consumed all particle types, with larger and positively charged plastics accumulating the most, and the particles disrupted their gut microbiome. Since zooplankton are a key food source for fish, this accumulation could transfer microplastics up the food chain toward humans.
Subcellular toxicity assessments of microplastics released from food containers
Researchers tested microplastic particles released from common plastic food containers under heating and freezing conditions and found that each container shed roughly 100,000 to 260,000 particles. When human intestinal cells were exposed to these particles, frozen food containers released the most harmful microplastics, causing damage to cell structures and increased production of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. This study suggests that everyday food storage practices, especially freezing in plastic containers, may be an important source of microplastic exposure.
Nanoplastics transport in zebrafish brain: Molecular and phenotypic behavioral impacts
This study tracked how nanoplastics of two sizes (50 nm and 200 nm) accumulate in and clear from zebrafish brains. Smaller nanoplastics built up more and lasted longer in the brain, causing greater damage to neurons and more behavioral changes like reduced activity and impaired learning. The findings suggest that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the most risk to brain health because they are harder for the body to remove.
Photodegradation Controls of Potential Toxicity of Secondary Sunscreen-Derived Microplastics and Associated Leachates
Researchers studied how sunlight breaks down microplastics from sunscreen products and whether this makes them more or less toxic. They found that sunlight aging caused chemical changes on the plastic surfaces and released harmful compounds into the water, increasing toxicity to aquatic organisms. This is relevant because sunscreen microplastics are commonly washed into oceans and lakes, where sun exposure could make them more dangerous over time.
Reducing Gut Dissolution of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Secondary Microplastics with Consequent Impacts on Barnacle Larvae
This study examined how microplastics interact with zinc oxide nanoparticles from sunscreen and affect barnacle larvae development. Sun-weathered (secondary) microplastics reduced the toxic effects of zinc oxide by limiting how much zinc dissolved in the gut, while fresh microplastics had little effect. The research shows that interactions between microplastics and other common pollutants in the ocean can change their combined impact on marine life in complex ways.
Environmental toxicology of marine microplastic pollution
This review summarized a decade of research on the environmental toxicology of marine microplastic pollution across different ocean organisms and trophic levels. Researchers found that microplastics can accumulate in marine life from phytoplankton to fish, causing molecular, metabolic, and physiological harm. The study emphasizes that understanding these toxic effects is essential for assessing the broader ecological risks of plastic pollution in ocean environments.
Near-Infrared-II <i>In Vivo</i> Visualization and Quantitative Tracking of Micro/Nanoplastics in Fish
Scientists developed a new near-infrared imaging technique to track micro- and nanoplastics inside living zebrafish in real time, overcoming limitations of previous detection methods. They found that both sizes of plastic particles accumulated mainly in the gut, with microplastics concentrating more in the front sections and nanoplastics distributing more evenly. This tracking tool helps researchers better understand how plastic particles move through and accumulate in living organisms, which is essential for assessing the risks of microplastic exposure.
In vivo bioaccumulation and responses of hemocytes of mussels Perna viridis to microplastics and nanoplastics exposure
Researchers found that mussels exposed to environmentally realistic levels of micro- and nanoplastics quickly accumulated the particles in their blood cells (hemocytes) at concentrations approaching those of the surrounding water. The smaller nanoplastics were more readily taken up and caused more damage to cellular structures called lysosomes. Since mussels are widely consumed as seafood, their ability to concentrate microplastics in their tissues is relevant to human dietary exposure.
Contrasting the distribution kinetics of microplastics and nanoplastics in medaka following exposure and depuration
This study tracked how micro and nanoplastics distribute across different organs in medaka fish over time after exposure and recovery. Nanoplastics spread to more organs including the brain, liver, and eyes, and were harder for the fish to clear than microplastics. The findings show that smaller plastic particles pose a greater risk because they travel further in the body and accumulate in organs, which has implications for understanding human exposure through seafood.
The role of gut microbiota in mediating increased toxicity of nano-sized polystyrene compared to micro-sized polystyrene in mice
This mouse study found that nano-sized polystyrene plastics were significantly more toxic than micro-sized ones, causing greater gut inflammation, liver damage, and metabolic disruption. The key difference was driven by how each size affected gut bacteria: nanoplastics caused a more severe shift toward harmful bacteria and away from beneficial ones. The findings suggest that the smallest plastic particles may pose the greatest health risk because they more dramatically disrupt the gut microbiome.
Face masks as a source of nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment: Quantification, characterization, and potential for bioaccumulation
Researchers found that each surgical or N95 face mask can release over one billion nanoplastic and microplastic particles, mostly smaller than one micrometer, when they break down. The study also detected microplastics in the nasal mucus of mask wearers, suggesting inhalation exposure during use. Additionally, mask-derived particles were shown to adsorb onto marine organisms across different levels of the food chain, raising concerns about both human health and environmental impacts.
Microplastics and nanoplastics induced differential respiratory damages in tilapia fish Oreochromis niloticus
Researchers exposed tilapia fish to polystyrene particles of three sizes at environmentally realistic levels and found that all sizes caused respiratory damage, with the medium and large microplastics causing more severe breathing problems than the smallest nanoparticles. The microplastics disrupted energy production in gill tissue and triggered immune responses. Since tilapia is a widely farmed and consumed fish, these findings raise concerns about both fish welfare in plastic-contaminated waters and the quality of farmed fish as food.
Photodegradation of Microplastics by ZnO Nanoparticles with Resulting Cellular and Subcellular Responses
Researchers extracted both zinc oxide nanoparticles and microplastics from a commercial sunscreen and found that the zinc oxide accelerated the breakdown of microplastics under simulated sunlight. However, the degradation products proved toxic to human skin cells at certain concentrations, causing oxidative stress and DNA damage. This suggests that while sunscreen ingredients may break down microplastics, the resulting fragments could pose their own health risks.
Landscape and risk assessment of microplastic contamination in farmed oysters and seawater along the coastline of China
Scientists surveyed microplastic contamination in farmed oysters and seawater at 18 sites along China's coastline, finding 34 different types of microplastics. Oysters from the Bohai Sea had the highest contamination levels and posed the greatest estimated daily intake risk for human consumers. The study highlights that people eating farmed oysters are regularly consuming microplastics, with the amount varying significantly by region.
Modeling the Vertical Transport of Copepod Fecal Particles under Nano/Microplastic Exposure
Researchers studied how nano- and microplastics affect the fecal pellets produced by tiny marine copepods, which play a crucial role in transporting carbon from the ocean surface to deeper waters. They found that plastic particles reduced both the size and production rate of fecal pellets, and a fluid dynamics model showed this would slow their sinking speed and reduce vertical carbon transport. The study suggests that widespread microplastic pollution could interfere with the ocean's ability to sequester carbon.
Passing the Parcels: Intercellular Nanoplastics Transfer in Mussels <i>Perna viridis</i> with Activated Immunomodulation
This study provides the first evidence that nanoplastics can be transferred between cells inside green mussels, a process previously thought unlikely due to the stability of these particles. Researchers found that immune cells called granulocytes internalized the nanoplastics and then passed them to neighboring cells through tiny vesicles. The discovery suggests nanoplastics may spread more widely through animal tissues than previously understood, with implications for immune function.
Subtle biogeochemical consequences of biodegradable and conventional microplastics in estuarine blue carbon systems
Researchers conducted field experiments exposing mangrove ecosystems to conventional and biodegradable microplastics for up to 100 days. While overall microbial community composition remained stable, the biodegradable microplastics temporarily disrupted key nutrient cycling processes for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The findings suggest that even in resilient blue carbon ecosystems, biodegradable plastics can cause subtle but measurable changes to biogeochemical functions.
Cellular journey of nanomaterials: Theories, trafficking, and kinetics
This review traces the cellular journey of engineered nanomaterials after they enter the human body, covering how particles cross cell membranes, travel through cellular compartments, and are either stored or expelled. Researchers found that a nanomaterial's size, shape, and surface chemistry all influence how cells process it. The study highlights the importance of understanding these cellular pathways for evaluating both the therapeutic potential and safety risks of nanomaterials.
Microfluidic-based <i>in vitro</i> thrombosis model for studying microplastics toxicity
Researchers developed a microfluidic-based thrombosis model to study how microplastics interact with the vascular system. Using both a mouse model and an on-chip system, the study found that microplastic exposure led to accumulation in the blood and decreased binding of fibrin to platelets, suggesting a potential risk of thrombus instability in blood flow.
Differentiation of cellular responses to particulate and soluble constituents in sunscreen products
This study separated sunscreen products into their particle and dissolved components to understand which parts cause cell damage. Researchers found that dissolved chemical ingredients were the main drivers of overall toxicity, while solid particles, including microplastics and zinc oxide, primarily caused damage at the subcellular level. The work highlights that microplastic beads in sunscreens can alter how other ingredients are absorbed by cells.
Effective recycling of disposable medical face masks for sustainable green concrete via a new fiber hybridization technique
Researchers recycled disposable medical face masks by shredding them into fibers and hybridizing them with basalt fibers in recycled aggregate concrete, finding that the combined fiber approach improved compressive strength by 12%, tensile strength by 26%, and flexural strength by 60% compared to unmodified concrete — meeting structural requirements while diverting mask waste from landfills.