Papers

Microplastic Toxicity in Aquatic Organisms and Aquatic Ecosystems: a Review

A Review of Materials for the Removal of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Different Environments

This review evaluates methods for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from water, soil, and air, finding that traditional approaches like filtration work for larger particles but struggle with nanoscale plastics. Newer technologies like magnetic nanoparticles and photocatalysis show promise, but challenges remain in making these solutions affordable and scalable for real-world cleanup.

Occurrence, spatiotemporal trends, fate, and treatment technologies for microplastics and organic contaminants in biosolids: A review

This meta-analysis examines how microplastics and organic pollutants end up in biosolids (treated sewage) and what happens when those biosolids are applied to farmland. The data show that microplastics are among the most common contaminants found in biosolids, raising concerns about long-term buildup in the soils where our food is grown.

The Plastic Within: Microplastics Invading Human Organs and Bodily Fluids Systems

This review documents the presence of microplastics in human organs and body fluids including the liver, blood, heart, placenta, breast milk, lungs, and reproductive tissues. The particles enter through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, and may also be introduced through invasive medical procedures. The widespread distribution of microplastics throughout the body raises concerns about their potential effects on organ function and long-term health.

Assessing the impact of micro and nanoplastics on the productivity of vegetable crops in terrestrial horticulture: a comprehensive review

This review summarizes research on how micro and nanoplastics accumulate in farmland and get absorbed by vegetable crops through their roots, building up in the edible parts of the plants. The plastic particles cause toxic effects that stunt plant growth by disrupting cellular processes and gene activity. This means the vegetables people eat may contain microplastics picked up from contaminated soil.

The Individual and Combined Effects of Microplastics and Heavy Metals on Marine Organisms

This review summarizes how microplastics and heavy metals individually and together affect marine organisms. Microplastics can absorb heavy metals from the water and carry them into organisms, creating combined toxic effects that are often worse than either pollutant alone. Since these contaminants accumulate up the food chain and end up in seafood, this combined pollution poses a potential threat to human health through diet.

Sustainable Urbanization and Microplastic Management: Implications for Human Health and the Environment

This review examines how rapid urbanization increases microplastic pollution through packaging waste, personal care products, and industrial activities, and explores the resulting health and environmental impacts. Microplastics in urban settings enter the body through food, water, and air, potentially causing inflammation, hormone disruption, and other health problems. The authors call for sustainable urban planning strategies that address microplastic management to protect public health.

Microplastics in Freshwater Environment in Asia: A Systematic Scientific Review

This systematic review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in Asian freshwater environments, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The study found that microplastics are widespread in Asian freshwater systems, with research concentrated in China and Southeast Asia, and identified potential risks to both aquatic life and human health. Since billions of people in Asia rely on freshwater for drinking and food production, this contamination is a significant public health concern.

Effects of microplastics on lentil (Lens culinaris) seed germination and seedling growth

Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect lentil seed germination and seedling growth using an advanced optical imaging technique. The study found that exposure to microplastics reduced seed germination rates and slowed internal biological activity in the seeds. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination in soil could negatively impact the early growth stages of important food crops.

Exploring Microplastic Distribution in Agricultural Soils and Health Risk Evaluation

Microplastic Contamination of Non-Mulched Agricultural Soils in Bangladesh: Detection, Characterization, Source Apportionment and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment

Researchers found microplastics in agricultural soil across Bangladesh at all depths tested, even though the fields did not use plastic mulch film. Eight different plastic types were identified, with concentrations varying by location, and coastal areas had the highest levels. The study suggests that irrigation water and organic fertilizers are introducing microplastics to farmland, potentially entering the food chain through crops grown in contaminated soil.

Studies on adsorption and synergistic biological effects induced by microplastic particles and the Platanus pollen allergenic protein 3(Pla a3)

Researchers studied how microplastics interact with a common pollen allergen protein from plane trees, finding that plastic particles can adsorb the allergenic protein onto their surfaces. UV-aged microplastics bound more of the allergen than pristine ones, and the combination of microplastics and allergen produced greater toxic effects on human cells than either substance alone. The findings suggest that airborne microplastics could worsen allergic responses by serving as carriers for pollen allergens.

Adsorption and toxicity characteristics of ciprofloxacin on differently prepared polyethylene terephthalate microplastics from both experimental and theoretical perspectives

The synergy of microplastics with the heavy metal zinc has resulted in reducing the toxic effects of zinc on lentil (Lens culinaris) seed germination and seedling growth

Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics interact with zinc heavy metal contamination in lentil seed germination experiments. Unexpectedly, they found that the presence of microplastics actually reduced zinc toxicity to the plants, likely because the microplastics bound to zinc ions in solution and limited plant uptake. The study suggests that microplastic-metal interactions in agricultural soils may be more complex than simple additive toxicity.

Distribution, Potential Sources, and Health Risk of Microplastics (MPs) in Street Dust during and after COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh

Researchers compared microplastic levels in street dust from Dhaka, Bangladesh during and after COVID-19 lockdowns. They found that microplastic contamination was highest during periods without lockdown restrictions, with industrial areas showing the greatest concentrations. The study indicates that reduced human activity during lockdowns led to measurably lower microplastic pollution in urban street dust.

Assessment of Health Risks from Agricultural Soils Contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Across Different Land-Use Categories of Bangladesh

Researchers assessed levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of harmful chemical pollutants, in agricultural soils across Bangladesh. Industrial areas had the highest contamination levels, followed by coastal and market areas, with concentrations declining at greater soil depths. The study found that while current exposure levels pose low cancer risk, continued monitoring is needed since these persistent chemicals accumulate in soil and can enter the food chain.

Evaluation of nanoplastics toxicity to the human placenta in systems

Researchers evaluated the toxicity of ten different types of nanoplastics on human placental enzymes using molecular docking and computational analysis. They found that polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics showed the highest binding affinity to critical placental enzymes responsible for metabolic and detoxification functions. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy may interfere with placental enzyme activity, raising concerns about potential developmental effects.

Microplastics in agroecosystems: A review of effects on soil biota and key soil functions

This review examines how microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils affects soil organisms and ecological functions. Researchers found that plastics enter farmland through multiple pathways including plastic mulch, sewage sludge, and irrigation water, and once present they alter soil properties and exhibit toxic behavior toward soil biota. The study identifies significant knowledge gaps about the long-term impacts of microplastic accumulation on agricultural productivity and food safety.

Microplastics Exposure Routes and Toxicity Studies to Ecosystems: An Overview

This overview summarized information on microplastic exposure routes and toxicity across ecosystems, identifying four major pathways: entanglement, contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Researchers noted that humans may face the highest exposure risk due to their position at the top of the food chain, and that marine organisms, freshwater species, and terrestrial biota all show toxic effects from microplastic exposure.

Thermal degradation evaluation of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics: Insights from kinetics and machine learning algorithms using non-isoconversional TGA data

Examining the impact of nanoplastics and PFAS exposure on immune functions through inhibition of secretory immunoglobin A in human breast milk

Researchers used molecular simulations to study how nanoplastics and PFAS chemicals found in breast milk might interfere with secretory immunoglobulin A, a key antibody that protects infants. They found that both nanoplastics and PFAS bind to this antibody more strongly than expected, with PFAS showing a higher overall toxic burden. The study suggests that the presence of these contaminants in breast milk could potentially compromise immune protection for breastfeeding infants.

Automated Classification of Undegraded and Aged Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics from ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy using Machine Learning Algorithms

Pollution Sources, Distribution, and Health Risks of Microplastic in Road Dust of Industrial, Peri-Urban Areas and Capital City of Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in road dust across industrial, capital city, and peri-urban areas of Bangladesh. They found that industrial areas had the highest levels of microplastics, with polypropylene being the most prevalent polymer type. The study indicates that children are more susceptible to microplastic exposure through ingestion and inhalation, with industrial zones posing the greatest health risk.

Synergistic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and microplastics on lentil seeds by a non-invasive biospeckle optical coherence tomography

Scientists tested how tiny titanium dioxide particles (found in sunscreen and food) and microplastics affect lentil seeds using a new imaging technique. They found that smaller particles boosted seed activity at low doses, but when combined with microplastics, the effects changed depending on the mix. This matters because these same particles and microplastics are in our food chain, and understanding how they interact could help us assess potential risks to the crops we eat.