Papers

Stability and dispersibility of microplastics in experimental exposure medium and their dimensional characterization by SMLS, SAXS, Raman microscopy, and SEM

Scientists tested how microplastics behave when suspended in biological fluids containing proteins, which is closer to real-world conditions inside the body. They found that protein coatings on microplastic surfaces actually promoted the formation of even smaller nanoplastic debris over time. This matters for human health because these secondary nanoplastics may be small enough to cross biological barriers and enter cells more easily.

Soil pollution in the European Union – An outlook

This review assesses the state of soil pollution across the European Union, finding that contamination from heavy metals, pesticides, and emerging pollutants like microplastics is widespread but poorly monitored. The authors call for standardized measurement methods and updated regulations, noting that soil pollution can affect human health through contaminated crops and drinking water.

Investigating Parkinson’s disease risk across farming activities using data mining and large-scale administrative health data

Researchers analyzed health records from over one million French farm managers and found that those working in pig farming, cattle farming, and crop farming had up to 67% higher risk of Parkinson's disease compared to farmers in lower-risk activities like horse care or gardening, pointing to specific occupational exposures worth investigating.

Impacts of microplastics and the associated plastisphere on physiological, biochemical, genetic expression and gut microbiota of the filter-feeder amphioxus

Researchers exposed filter-feeding amphioxus to weathered microplastics colonized by natural marine biofilms and found significant impacts on physiology, biochemistry, and gut microbiota under starvation conditions. The weathered plastics with their attached microbial communities caused more disruption than pristine particles typically used in lab studies. The findings suggest that real-world microplastic pollution, complete with its biofilm coating, may pose greater risks to marine filter feeders than laboratory experiments usually indicate.

The internal dose makes the poison: higher internalization of polystyrene particles induce increased perturbation of macrophages

Researchers exposed human macrophages, key immune cells, to polystyrene particles of different sizes and found that smaller particles were internalized more readily and caused greater cellular disruption. Nanoscale plastics triggered stronger inflammatory responses and more oxidative stress than larger microplastics. The study suggests that the amount of plastic actually absorbed by immune cells, not just the amount present in the environment, determines how harmful the exposure is.

Regulatory assessment of nano-enabled health products in public health interest. Position of the scientific advisory board of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products

The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines reviewed the regulatory landscape for health products containing nanomaterials, including drugs and medical devices. They found that the enormous diversity of nanomaterials and their unique properties create significant challenges for consistent regulatory assessment across countries. The report recommends international harmonization of regulatory practices to better evaluate the risk-benefit balance of nano-enabled health products.

A Synthesis of Global Coastal Ocean Greenhouse Gas Fluxes

This large-scale study measured greenhouse gas exchanges between the coastal ocean and atmosphere, finding that while coastal waters absorb carbon dioxide, they also release nitrous oxide and methane that offset much of that climate benefit. While focused on greenhouse gases rather than microplastics, the study is relevant because climate change and ocean chemistry changes affect how microplastics behave in marine environments. Warming oceans and changing chemistry could influence how microplastics break down and move through the food chain.

In vitro cell-transforming capacity of micro- and nanoplastics derived from 3D-printing waste

Researchers tested whether micro- and nanoplastics from degraded 3D-printed objects could trigger cancer-like cell changes using a validated laboratory assay. Despite being taken up by cells, none of the plastic particles -- including those containing carbon nanotubes or silver nanoparticles -- caused cancerous transformation in the test system. While the results are reassuring for this specific endpoint, the study notes that certain gene expression changes were observed, warranting further investigation into other potential health effects.

Exploring the Interaction of Human α-Synuclein with Polyethylene Nanoplastics: Insights from Computational Modeling and Experimental Corroboration

Researchers used computer simulations and lab experiments to study how polyethylene nanoplastics interact with alpha-synuclein, a brain protein linked to neurodegenerative conditions. They found that nanoplastics caused the protein to change its shape and form a compact structure that interacts more strongly with itself, potentially promoting clumping. The study suggests a possible mechanism by which nanoplastics could influence protein behavior in the brain, though the health implications remain to be determined.

Spatial variability of Saharan dust deposition revealed through a citizen science campaign

Researchers used a citizen science campaign to collect dust-on-snow samples across the Pyrenees and Alps following a major Saharan dust event in February 2021. They found that the amount and particle size of deposited dust decreased with distance from the source, and south-facing slopes accumulated more dust. The study demonstrates how citizen science can fill gaps in understanding atmospheric dust transport, which also carries microplastics and other pollutants across long distances.

Copepods' true colors: astaxanthin pigmentation as an indicator of fitness

This review explores how carotenoid pigmentation, particularly the molecule astaxanthin, serves as a visible indicator of health and fitness in copepods, a dominant type of zooplankton. Researchers found that the bright red-orange coloring in copepods is linked to their ability to handle environmental stressors like UV radiation and oxidative damage. The study proposes that pigmentation could be used as a simple, practical tool for assessing the overall condition of zooplankton populations in aquatic ecosystems.

Role of the Protein Corona in the Colloidal Behavior of Microplastics

Researchers investigated how protein coronas form on polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in biological media, finding that proteins act as surfactants that alter the colloidal behavior and stability of microplastics in aquatic environments.

An isotope dilution mass spectrometry overview: tips and applications for the measurement of radionuclides

This review provides a guide to isotope dilution mass spectrometry and its applications for measuring radionuclides. Researchers critically evaluate the technique's strengths and limitations across various analytical contexts. The study serves as a practical resource for scientists working on precise radionuclide measurements in environmental and nuclear monitoring applications.

Biobased, Biodegradable but not bio-neutral: about the effects of polylactic acid nanoparticles on macrophages

Researchers investigated the effects of polylactic acid nanoparticles, a biobased and biodegradable plastic, on immune cells called macrophages. Despite being marketed as eco-friendly, these nanoparticles triggered inflammatory responses and altered macrophage function in ways similar to conventional plastic nanoparticles. The study cautions that biodegradable plastics are not necessarily biologically neutral and may still pose health risks when broken down to nanoscale particles.

Toxicity of polycaprolactone nanoplastics, pristine or weathered in environmental conditions, to human intestinal epithelial cells, in vitro

Researchers tested whether nanoplastics made from polycaprolactone — a biodegradable plastic — harmed human colon cells in lab conditions, including cells engineered to mimic genetic susceptibility to Crohn's disease, and found only mild toxicity even after the plastics were artificially aged to simulate environmental weathering. The results suggest that biodegradable nanoplastics may be less harmful to gut cells than conventional plastics, though longer-term and in vivo studies are still needed.

An integrated metabolomics and proteogenomics approach reveals molecular alterations following carbamazepine exposure in the male mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Mission Tara Microplastics: a holistic set of protocols and data resources for the field investigation of plastic pollution along the land-sea continuum in Europe

Researchers present a comprehensive set of sampling protocols from the Tara Microplastics mission, which investigated plastic pollution along nine major European rivers by measuring microplastic concentrations, microbial communities, and biophysicochemical parameters along salinity gradients.

A Pan-European study of the bacterial plastisphere diversity along river-to-sea continuums

Researchers conducted a large-scale study of bacterial communities living on microplastic surfaces along river-to-sea pathways in nine major European rivers during the Tara Microplastics mission. They found that microplastics can transport freshwater bacteria into marine environments, representing a potential dispersal mechanism for microorganisms across ecosystems. The study highlights that the plastisphere community composition shifts along the river-sea continuum.

Toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid nanoplastics, pristine and weathered in environmentally-relevant conditions, to human intestinal cells representative of genetic susceptibility to Crohn's disease

Scientists tested tiny plastic particles from common materials like plastic bottles (PET) and biodegradable plastics (PLA) on human intestinal cells, including cells from people genetically prone to inflammatory bowel disease. The plastic particles did get absorbed by the cells, but they didn't cause significant damage or toxicity, even when the plastics had been weathered by environmental conditions. This suggests that short-term exposure to these nanoplastics may not pose major immediate health risks to our digestive system, though more research is needed on long-term effects.

Effects of true to life polyethylene terephthalate and polycaprolactone nanoparticles on macrophages under a repeated exposure mode

Researchers compared how macrophages respond to repeated low-dose exposure to persistent PET nanoparticles versus biodegradable polycaprolactone nanoparticles. They found that cells adapted over repeated exposures, showing less dramatic changes than in single-dose experiments, but PET nanoparticles still induced oxidative stress, reduced phagocytic ability, and triggered pro-inflammatory responses. The study suggests that the biopersistence of conventional plastic nanoparticles like PET may pose more sustained immune system effects compared to biodegradable alternatives.

Molecular response to multiple trace element contamination of the European sardine

This study examined the molecular responses of European sardines to trace element contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. Researchers analyzed physiological biomarkers to understand how anthropogenic pollutants affect this ecologically important marine species, which has been experiencing population declines in the region since 2008.

Quantitative HPLC–mass spectrometry analysis shows the drastic impact of the composition of aqueous and biochemical media on the release of soluble hydrolysis products from submicron polycaprolactone

A comparison of the effects of polystyrene and polycaprolactone nanoplastics on macrophages

A comparison of polystyrene and polycaprolactone nanoplastics on macrophage immune cells found both types induced adverse cellular effects, with the study highlighting that plastic persistence in the environment may drive progressive accumulation leading to chronic immune system impacts.

Effects of true to life polyethylene terephthalate and polycaprolactone nanoparticles on macrophages under a repeated exposure mode

Researchers exposed macrophages to PET and polycaprolactone nanoparticles under a repeated-dose exposure scheme mimicking chronic environmental exposure, finding that repeated exposures altered immune cell function differently than single-dose protocols commonly used in prior studies.