Papers

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.

Municipal solid waste management during COVID-19 pandemic: effects and repercussions

Researchers reviewed 56 studies on how the COVID-19 pandemic altered municipal solid waste management, finding that lockdowns changed both the quantity and composition of waste while simultaneously disrupting recycling programs and increasing medical waste and littered plastic.

Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of microplastic prevalence and abundance in freshwater fish species: the effect of fish species habitat, feeding behavior, and Fulton’s condition factor

A meta-analysis of freshwater fish across 42 studies found an average of 2.35 microplastic items per individual, with 80% of research focused on the gastrointestinal tract and 58% on river environments. Contrary to expectations, microplastic ingestion correlated with fish body physiology (size and weight) rather than feeding behavior or habitat, suggesting physical characteristics determine uptake more than ecological niche.

Immune-mediated disease caused by climate change-associated environmental hazards: mitigation and adaptation

This review examines how climate change-driven events like wildfires, dust storms, and heatwaves increase air pollution and allergen exposure, contributing to rising rates of asthma, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The paper specifically notes that nanoplastics, alongside other environmental pollutants, can disrupt skin and mucous membrane barriers and alter the microbiome in ways that trigger immune system dysfunction.

A systematic review on the effect of microplastics on the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis based on animal studies

This systematic review of animal studies found that microplastics — especially polystyrene — disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, consistently decreasing estradiol levels and causing ovarian apoptosis and oxidative stress damage. These findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure as a potential contributor to female reproductive health problems in humans.

Tracking microplastics contamination in drinking water in Zahedan, Iran: From source to consumption taps

Researchers tracked microplastic contamination through the entire drinking water system in Zahedan, Iran, from raw water sources to household taps. While water treatment plants removed 64-75% of microplastics, tap water actually contained more microplastics than the treated water, likely due to contamination from pipes and plumbing. Children were estimated to consume more microplastics per body weight than adults, highlighting concerns about drinking water as a source of microplastic exposure.

Microplastics removal from aquatic environment by coagulation: Selecting the best coagulant based on variables determined from a systematic review

This systematic review and experimental study identifies the most effective methods for removing microplastics from water using coagulation, a common water treatment technique. Researchers tested different coagulants on three types of microplastics and found that aluminum-based coagulants were most effective. These findings could help water treatment plants better remove microplastics from the water supply before it reaches our taps.

Microplastics removal technologies from aqueous environments: a systematic review

This systematic review evaluated microplastic removal technologies and found that membrane filtration, electrocoagulation, and advanced oxidation processes are the most effective methods for removing microplastics from aqueous environments. The research highlights that conventional water treatment alone is insufficient to fully eliminate microplastics, and that combining multiple treatment stages achieves the highest removal rates.

Nanoplastics as emerging contaminants: A systematic review of analytical processes, removal strategies from water environments, challenges and perspective

Long-term exposure of human U87 glioblastoma cells to polyethylene microplastics: Investigating the potential cancer progression

In a lab study, polyethylene microplastics exposed to human brain cancer cells (glioblastoma) for 26 days significantly increased the cancer cells' ability to grow, migrate, and form colonies. The microplastics altered cell behavior and shape in ways associated with more aggressive cancer. While this does not prove microplastics cause brain cancer in people, it raises concerns about how chronic exposure to microplastics in the body could influence existing cancers.

Probiotics as Modulators of Microplastic-induced Toxicity: A Systematic Review

This systematic review found that probiotics can reduce microplastic-induced toxicity in animal models by restoring gut microbiota balance, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating inflammatory responses. The findings suggest that probiotic supplementation may help mitigate the harmful effects of unavoidable microplastic exposure, though human clinical trials are still needed.

A Systematic Review of Microplastic Contamination in Tuna Species: General Pathways into the Food Chain with Ecotoxicological and Human Health Perspectives

This systematic review found that tuna species worldwide contain significant levels of microplastics, especially polyethylene and polypropylene, concentrated in their gills and digestive tracts. Since tuna is one of the most widely consumed fish globally, these findings mean that eating tuna is a direct route for microplastic exposure in the human diet.

Bio‐Based Nanofiber Membranes for Effective Air Filtration: Fabrication and Evaluation of Flame‐Retardant Behavior, Mechanical Properties, and Filtration Performance

Researchers developed a biodegradable nanofiber membrane made from polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid for filtering airborne particulate matter, as an alternative to non-biodegradable filters that generate microplastics upon disposal. The boric acid addition improved the membrane's fire resistance, reducing peak heat release by about 39%, while maintaining effective filtration performance. The study offers a greener approach to air filtration that avoids contributing to microplastic pollution when the filters reach the end of their useful life.

The quantity and quality assessment of microplastics in the freshwater fishes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Health burden and economic loss attributable to ambient PM2.5 in Iran based on the ground and satellite data

Researchers estimated that long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) caused between 49,000 and 59,000 deaths in Iran in 2018 — representing economic losses of up to $12.8 billion — with satellite-based pollution data revealing greater health impacts than ground monitoring alone captured.

Farmed Mussels: A Nutritive Protein Source, Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, with a Low Environmental Footprint

This review highlights farmed mussels as a sustainable, high-quality protein source with a low environmental footprint compared to other animal proteins. Researchers found that mussels are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, iron, and other key nutrients while requiring minimal land and freshwater resources. The study also acknowledges potential risks from environmental contaminants, including microplastics, that mussels may accumulate as filter feeders.

Evaluation of conventional wastewater treatment plants efficiency to remove microplastics in terms of abundance, size, shape, and type: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

Conventional wastewater treatment plants progressively reduce microplastic abundance from ~124 items/L in influent down to ~2 items/L after tertiary treatment, but significant publication bias was detected across the 77 studies analyzed, suggesting reported removal efficiencies may be skewed.

Occurrence and exposure analysis of microplastic in the gut and muscle tissue of riverine fish in Kermanshah province of Iran

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the gut and muscle tissue of fish from the Qarasu River in Iran, finding microplastics in all species examined. The estimated human dietary intake through fish consumption was calculated at approximately 174 and 127 particles per kilogram of body weight per year for adults and children respectively, highlighting the potential for microplastic exposure through food.

Microplastics and cancer progression: A comparative study of 2D and 3D gastric cancer models using ISO Compliant protocols

Researchers developed standardized methods based on ISO protocols to test how microplastic exposure affects gastric cancer cells in both traditional flat cell cultures and three-dimensional tumor models. They found that polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics increased cancer cell growth in both model types, though the particles did not directly penetrate the 3D tumor structures. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may promote cancer cell proliferation, warranting further investigation.

Ontogenetic transfer of microplastics and nanoplastics in mosquitoes: a scoping review of environmental and health implications

This scoping review examines the role of mosquitoes as vectors for transferring microplastics and nanoplastics from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems through their life cycle. Researchers found evidence that mosquito larvae ingest micro- and nanoplastics in water, which are retained through metamorphosis and carried into terrestrial environments by adult mosquitoes. The study highlights an underappreciated pathway for microplastic dispersal and raises questions about potential implications for organisms that feed on mosquitoes.

Simple and rapid determination of tartrazine in fake saffron using the metal organic framework (Fe SA MOF@CNF) by HPLC/PDA

Researchers developed a highly sensitive detection method using a specialized iron-based metal-organic framework material to extract and measure tartrazine — a yellow dye used to fake the color of premium saffron — achieving detection limits as low as 0.38 ng/mL with over 98% accuracy.

Nanoplastics: Focus on the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs

This review explored how nanoplastics may affect gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, focusing on their potential to alter microRNA and long non-coding RNA regulation, which could contribute to chronic diseases including cancer.

Airborne microplastics pollution in municipal solid waste processing and disposal complex: Concentration, characterization, and composition

Researchers investigated airborne microplastic pollution at the largest municipal solid waste processing and disposal complex in Iran. Using microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, they found microplastics in air samples from multiple locations throughout the facility, including processing halls, composting areas, and landfill sites. The study reveals that waste management facilities are significant sources of airborne microplastic emissions that may affect worker health and surrounding communities.

Exposure assessment of nitrate and phenol derivatives in Tehran's water distribution system

Researchers measured levels of nitrate and phenol derivatives in Tehran's water distribution system to assess potential health risks. They found that while most contaminant levels fell below guideline values, some districts had nitrate concentrations exceeding allowable limits by up to 2.3 times. The study determined that precipitation was significantly correlated with pollutant levels, though overall cancer risk from these contaminants was deemed negligible.