Papers

Combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and perfluorobutane sulfonate on mouse liver: Impact on lipid metabolism and gut-liver axis disruption

This study examined what happens when mice are exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and PFBS (a type of "forever chemical") at the same time. The combination caused significantly worse liver damage than either pollutant alone, disrupting fat metabolism and triggering gut bacteria imbalances that further harmed the liver through the gut-liver connection. These findings are concerning because microplastics can absorb PFAS chemicals in the environment, meaning people may often be exposed to both together.

A comprehensive review on the source, ingestion route, attachment and toxicity of microplastics/nanoplastics in human systems

This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through eating, breathing, and skin contact, then spread to organs throughout all nine major body systems. The particles cause harm mainly through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted metabolism, with the digestive and respiratory systems being most affected since they are the primary entry points.

Insight into the adsorption behaviors and bioaccessibility of three altered microplastics through three types of advanced oxidation processes

Scientists found that when common microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) undergo water treatment processes like UV or chemical oxidation, their surfaces change in ways that make them better at absorbing harmful pollutants. The treated microplastics also released more chemicals during simulated human digestion, meaning people who ingest these particles may absorb more toxins from them. This is concerning because most microplastics in drinking water have already been through some form of water treatment.

Aging of Polystyrene Micro/Nanoplastics Enhances Cephalosporin Phototransformation via Structure-Sensitive Interfacial Hydrogen Bonding

Researchers found that aged polystyrene micro and nanoplastics significantly speed up the breakdown of common antibiotics (cephalosporins) in water when exposed to sunlight. The aged plastic surfaces generate reactive chemicals that attack the antibiotics, and the effect depends on how the antibiotic molecule binds to the plastic surface. This is important because it shows microplastics can actively change the chemical environment around them, potentially affecting how pollutants behave in waterways.

Aged polystyrene microplastics exacerbate cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in zebrafish through gut-liver axis metabolic dysregulation

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, and found that weathered (aged) microplastics absorbed more cadmium and caused worse liver damage — disrupting the gut barrier, altering gut bacteria, and triggering fat buildup in the liver — compared to either pollutant alone.

Microplastics in the third pole of the world: Abundance and ecological risk assessment

Researchers measured microplastic contamination across the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote regions on Earth. While overall levels were lower than in more populated areas, concentrations increased downstream near human settlements, with sewage treatment plants identified as a significant entry point. The study shows that even the world's highest and most isolated ecosystems are not free from microplastic pollution.

Microplastics altered soil microbiome and nitrogen cycling: The role of phthalate plasticizer

Researchers discovered that chemical plasticizers leaching from PVC microplastics, rather than the plastic particles themselves, were the main driver of disrupted nitrogen cycling in soil. The phthalate plasticizer dramatically reduced soil nitrate levels by up to 91% and shifted microbial communities toward more nitrogen-fixing bacteria and fewer nitrifiers. The study highlights that the chemical additives in plastics may be a more important environmental concern than the plastic particles alone.

Nanoplastic pollution changes the intestinal microbiome but not the morphology or behavior of a freshwater turtle

Researchers exposed freshwater turtle eggs and hatchlings to tiny polystyrene nanoplastics and found the particles changed the turtles' gut bacteria but did not affect their growth, shell development, or behavior. The nanoplastics were able to penetrate through the eggshell, reaching the developing embryo. While the turtles appeared physically healthy, the disrupted gut microbiome could have longer-term health consequences that were not captured in this study.

The effect of a polystyrene nanoplastic on the intestinal microbes and oxidative stress defense of the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

Researchers tested the acute effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on freshwater crayfish and found that exposure altered the composition of intestinal bacteria and disrupted oxidative stress defenses. Higher concentrations of nanoplastics led to more severe changes in gut microbial diversity and antioxidant enzyme activity. The study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic pollution can harm the gut health and immune defenses of freshwater organisms.

Polystyrene microplastics aggravate inflammatory damage in mice with intestinal immune imbalance

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused significantly worse inflammatory damage in mice that already had compromised intestinal immune systems compared to healthy mice. The microplastics increased inflammatory markers, disrupted gut bacteria, and caused more severe tissue damage in the vulnerable animals. The study suggests that individuals with pre-existing gut health issues may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of microplastic exposure.

Combined effects of polyethylene and organic contaminant on zebrafish (Danio rerio): Accumulation of 9-Nitroanthracene, biomarkers and intestinal microbiota

Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics interact with the pollutant 9-Nitroanthracene in zebrafish, both individually and in combination. The study found that while microplastics can carry the pollutant into the fish, they actually reduced its accumulation by adsorbing it away from biological tissues. However, long-term combined exposure proved more toxic than either pollutant alone, suggesting delayed harmful effects when microplastics and chemical contaminants coexist in waterways.

Uptake and Accumulation of Polystyrene Microplastics in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) and Toxic Effects in Liver

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes and tracked where the particles accumulated in the body. They found that smaller particles (5 micrometers) built up in the gills, liver, and gut, while larger particles (20 micrometers) mainly stayed in the gills and gut. The microplastics caused liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted fat metabolism, suggesting that ingested microplastics can damage internal organs in fish.

Effect of ultraviolet aged polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics on copper bioavailability and Microcystis aeruginosa growth

This study found that polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, the material in Teflon) microplastics increased the availability of toxic copper to algae in water, promoting harmful algal blooms. Interestingly, UV aging of the microplastics reduced some of their toxic effects on algae. The research highlights how microplastics can change the behavior of other pollutants in water, potentially worsening environmental contamination that ultimately affects human water sources.

Airborne Microplastics: A Review on the Occurrence, Migration and Risks to Humans

This review examines the growing concern of airborne microplastics, which are mostly fiber-shaped particles originating from synthetic textiles. Researchers found that these tiny plastic particles can be inhaled directly by humans and also contribute to microplastic contamination in water and soil environments. The study highlights the need for more research to better understand the health risks posed by breathing in airborne microplastics.

Size matters either way: Differently-sized microplastics affect amphibian host and symbiotic microbiota discriminately

Researchers exposed toad tadpoles to two sizes of polystyrene microplastics and found both caused growth delays, but through different mechanisms. Larger particles disrupted gut bacteria, while smaller ones triggered stronger gene expression changes in tissues related to brain function and energy metabolism. The study suggests microplastic size matters for how toxicity manifests in amphibians.

Optimize lettuce washing methods to reduce the risk of microplastics ingestion: The evidence from microplastics residues on the surface of lettuce leaves and in the lettuce washing wastewater

Researchers tested different methods for washing lettuce to remove microplastic particles that settle on leaves from the air, comparing water rinsing, ultrasonic cleaning, and edible detergent washing. They found that ultrasonic cleaning was most effective at removing microplastics from leaf surfaces, while simple water rinsing left significant residues behind. The study provides practical guidance for reducing microplastic ingestion from leafy vegetables.

Micro- and nanoplastics: Contamination routes of food products and critical interpretation of detection strategies

This review evaluates current methods for detecting micro and nanoplastics in food and beverages, from sample preparation to chemical identification. The authors highlight significant challenges including detection sensitivity limits, interference from food matrices, and a lack of standardized protocols. Better analytical tools are needed to accurately assess how much microplastic contamination people are actually consuming.

Effects of Exogenous Isosteviol on the Physiological Characteristics of Brassica napus Seedlings under Salt Stress

This study tested how a plant compound called isosteviol helps rapeseed plants cope with salt stress, finding it can boost growth and reduce damage from reactive oxygen species. While not about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastic contamination in soil can worsen salt stress and oxidative damage in crops. Understanding how plants defend against environmental stress may help develop more resilient crops for contaminated farmland.

Microplastics alter soil carbon cycling: Effects on carbon storage, CO ₂ and CH ₄ emission and microbial community

This systematic review examines how microplastics in soil affect carbon cycling, including greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage. The effects depend heavily on plastic type and size, with biodegradable plastics generally having a bigger impact. Understanding these soil-level changes matters because disrupted carbon cycles can worsen climate change, which in turn affects the food and water systems we all depend on.

New insights into the long-term dynamics and deposition-suspension distribution of atmospheric microplastics in an urban area

Researchers tracked airborne microplastics in a city over a full year and found an average of 302 particles per square meter per day falling from the sky, with people potentially inhaling up to 12,777 particles per year. The microplastics came from sources up to 1,750 kilometers away, including traffic, industry, and textiles. This study highlights that breathing is a significant route of microplastic exposure for humans, even for people living far from obvious pollution sources.

Size-specific effects of microplastics and lead on zebrafish

Researchers studied how microplastics of different sizes interact with lead in zebrafish and found that the combination damaged gut barrier function and triggered liver inflammation more than either pollutant alone. The smallest microplastics paired with lead caused the most significant disruption to gut bacteria diversity. These findings highlight that microplastics can worsen the toxic effects of heavy metals in living organisms.

Network Complexity and Stability of Microbes Enhanced by Microplastic Diversity

In a large laboratory experiment with 600 samples, researchers found that having a greater diversity of microplastic types in lake sediments actually made microbial communities more complex and stable. Warmer temperatures amplified this effect, suggesting climate change could further alter how microplastics interact with environmental microorganisms. While the microbes became more interconnected, this does not necessarily mean healthier ecosystems, since the altered microbial networks could include shifts that affect nutrient cycling and water quality in ways that impact human health.

Combined exposure to hypoxia and nanoplastics leads to negative synergistic oxidative stress-mediated effects in the water flea Daphnia magna

Researchers exposed the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna to both hypoxia (low oxygen) and nanoplastics simultaneously, finding that combined stressors act synergistically to amplify oxidative stress and cause more severe reproductive and growth impairment than either stressor alone, mediated by HIF-1α, NF-κB, and MAPK pathways.

Response of soil property and microbial community to biodegradable microplastics, conventional microplastics and straw residue