Papers

Polytetrafluorethylene microplastic particles mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and intracellular signaling pathway alteration in human derived cell lines

Scientists tested PTFE (Teflon) microplastics on six types of human cells and found they caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted cell signaling pathways in most cell types. Smaller PTFE particles generally caused more damage than larger ones, and lung and intestinal cells were particularly affected. Since PTFE is widely used in nonstick cookware and other household products, these findings raise questions about health risks from Teflon-derived microplastic exposure.

Toward a Brighter Future: Enhanced Sustainable Methods for Preventing Algal Blooms and Improving Water Quality

This review explores methods for preventing harmful algal blooms and improving water quality in lakes and rivers using physical, chemical, and biological treatments. While focused on nutrient pollution rather than microplastics specifically, the water treatment technologies discussed can also help address microplastic contamination. The research is relevant because both algal blooms and microplastics threaten the safety of drinking water sources that communities depend on.

Fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages reveal extensive degradation of the world's rivers

Researchers assessed the biological health of rivers worldwide using fish and macroinvertebrate data from over 100,000 sites across 45 countries, including the most comprehensive coverage of the Global South to date. They found that roughly one-third of assessed river sites showed signs of significant biological degradation. The study highlights that freshwater biodiversity loss is a global crisis, with pollution and habitat alteration affecting rivers on every inhabited continent.

Simultaneous removal of diclofenac, triclosan, and microplastics using graphene oxide-chitosan sponges

Quantification of tire wear particles in road dust based on synthetic/natural rubber ratio using pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry across diverse tire types

Researchers developed an improved method for measuring tire wear particles in road dust that accounts for differences in rubber composition across tire brands and types. They found that the standard ISO method, which assumes a fixed ratio of synthetic to natural rubber, can significantly misestimate tire wear concentrations. The refined approach provides more accurate measurements of this major source of microplastic pollution from road traffic.

Occurrence of microplastics in the Han River and riverine fish in South Korea

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Han River and its tributaries in South Korea, as well as in six species of freshwater fish. They found microplastics at all sampling sites, with polyethylene, silicone, and polystyrene being the most common polymer types. Fish intestines contained an average of 22 microplastic particles per individual, predominantly fragments, indicating widespread contamination of the freshwater food web.

Advancing River Health Assessments: Integrating Microscopy and Molecular Techniques through Diatom Indices

This review explored how traditional microscopy-based diatom assessments for river water quality can be enhanced by integrating environmental DNA techniques. The study suggests that combining molecular methods with established diatom indices offers faster, more comprehensive evaluations of river ecosystem health, though challenges remain in standardizing these newer approaches.

Comparisons of Spatial and Temporal Variations in PM2.5-Bound Trace Elements in Urban and Rural Areas of South Korea, and Associated Potential Health Risks

Researchers compared PM2.5-bound trace elements in urban Seoul and rural Seosan, South Korea, using continuous X-ray fluorescence analysis over a winter period. The study found that sulfur, potassium, silicon, calcium, and iron made up approximately 95% of PM2.5-bound trace elements at both sites, providing data to evaluate the effects of particulate-bound metals on air quality and associated health risks.

Nationwide evaluation of microplastic properties in municipal wastewater treatment plants in South Korea

Researchers evaluated microplastic levels at 22 municipal wastewater treatment plants across South Korea and found that while the plants remove over 99% of microplastics, the sheer volume of treated water still releases significant quantities into receiving waterways. Most removal happened during the sedimentation stage, and the most common microplastic types found were fragments and fibers under 300 micrometers. The study suggests that despite high removal efficiency, wastewater treatment plants remain an important source of microplastic discharge into the environment.

Microplastic Pollution in Sewage Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants and Estimation of Microplastic Release

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants using infrared spectroscopy and estimated the quantities released into the environment when sludge is used for soil improvement. They found significant microplastic concentrations in the sludge samples, with the majority being fiber-shaped particles. The study highlights that the growing practice of applying sewage sludge to agricultural land is a meaningful pathway for microplastic transfer to soil environments.

Influence of road roughness and slope on the accumulation and distribution of tire-wear particles and heavy metals in road dust

Researchers measured tire-wear particles and heavy metals in road dust across 57 segments in Seoul, finding that rougher roads (IRI >3.0) generated 11.9% more tire-wear particles per vehicle, that stop-and-go low-speed driving accumulated 24% more particles than high-speed roads, and that downhill grades increased brake-wear metals — providing empirical data linking road conditions and driving behavior to non-exhaust microplastic pollution.

Immunodysregulatory potentials of polyethylene or polytetrafluorethylene microplastics to mice subacutely exposed via intragastric intubation

Researchers found that subacute oral exposure to polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics caused immune dysregulation in mice, with effects varying by particle size and polymer type, demonstrating that ingested microplastics can disrupt immune function.

Detection of microplastic traces in four different types of municipal wastewater treatment plants through FT-IR and TED-GC-MS

Researchers detected microplastic traces in four different types of municipal wastewater treatment plants using FT-IR and TED-GC-MS, finding that while treatment processes removed most microplastics, some were still released into receiving water bodies.

Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Pagrus major by the Dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi

Researchers exposed red sea bream to the harmful algal bloom species Karenia mikimotoi and found that it caused oxidative stress and DNA damage in the fish's gill tissue. The dinoflagellate triggered reactive oxygen species accumulation and activated antioxidant defense enzymes at concentrations above 5,000 cells per milliliter. The study confirms that K. mikimotoi blooms pose a direct molecular-level threat to commercially important aquaculture fish species.

Polystyrene microplastics induce mortality through acute cell stress and inhibition of cholinergic activity in a brine shrimp

Fragmentation of nanoplastics driven by plant–microbe rhizosphere interaction during abiotic stress combination

In rhizosphere experiments, plant-microbe interactions under combined cadmium and nanoplastic stress generated fragmented nanoplastics that were taken up by plant roots, demonstrating that biotic soil processes can alter nanoplastic size and enhance plant exposure.

Microplastic Distribution and Characteristics in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) from Han River, South Korea

Researchers examined microplastic distribution in common carp from the Han River in South Korea, analyzing contamination in gills, intestines, and muscle tissue. The study found microplastics present across all tissue types, with fibers being the most common form, suggesting that this widely consumed fish species may represent a pathway for human exposure to microplastics.

Exposure to metals premixed with microplastics increases toxicity through bioconcentration and impairs antioxidant defense and cholinergic response in a marine mysid

Researchers exposed the marine mysid Americamysis bahia to five metals alone and combined with microplastics premixed for varying durations, finding that premixing increased metal bioconcentration and impaired antioxidant defenses and cholinergic signaling more than either contaminant alone.

Assessment of microplastics under 20 μm in road dust using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS)

Researchers used confocal laser scanning microscopy to assess microplastics smaller than 20 micrometers in road dust samples, demonstrating that this size class—often missed by conventional methods—is abundant in traffic-related dust and represents a significant inhalation and ingestion exposure pathway.

National Reconnaissance Survey of Microplastics in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Korea

A nationwide survey of South Korean wastewater treatment plants found that large quantities of microplastics are discharged into freshwater environments, with treatment processes only partially effective at removing them. The study highlights WWTPs as a major pathway for microplastic entry into rivers and ultimately the ocean.

Consistent exposure to microplastics induces age-specific physiological and biochemical changes in a marine mysid

Marine mysid shrimp (Neomysis awatschensis) were exposed to polystyrene microbeads at 1 and 10 micrometers across their life stages to assess age-specific physiological and biochemical responses. Early life stage exposure caused higher mortality and oxidative stress, while older animals showed different biochemical response patterns, revealing life-stage-dependent vulnerability.

Proposing Effective Ecotoxicity Test Species for Chemical Safety Assessment in East Asia: A Review

This paper is not about microplastic pollution. It reviews potential native East Asian species that could be used as standard test organisms for chemical safety and ecotoxicity testing, arguing that current international guidelines rely too heavily on European and American species. While such test species could eventually be used in microplastic toxicity research, the paper itself does not address microplastics. It is a false positive in this dataset.

Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastic in the sediment of the Han River, South Korea

The first comprehensive survey of microplastic temporal and spatial distribution in Han River sediment in South Korea found microplastics at all sites with concentrations varying by season and proximity to urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers as the dominant types.

Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in fish of the Han River, South Korea: Factors affecting microplastic abundance in fish

Microplastics were detected in 106 fish from 22 species at three sites in South Korea's Han River, with an average of 16-20 particles per individual and downstream sites showing the highest contamination, reflecting greater human activity and urban inputs near the river mouth.