Papers

Microplastics as an emerging threat to human health: An overview of potential health impacts

This review provides a broad overview of how microplastics enter the body through food, air, and skin contact, and have been found in human tissues including the placenta, blood, lungs, and reproductive organs. Children face especially high risk due to hand-to-mouth behaviors and faster breathing rates relative to their body size, making them more susceptible to microplastic exposure and its potential toxic effects.

Microplastic contamination in the agricultural soil—mitigation strategies, heavy metals contamination, and impact on human health: a review

This review examines how microplastics contaminate agricultural soil through plastic mulch, irrigation water, and fertilizers, then alter soil chemistry, harm beneficial microorganisms, and reduce crop productivity. The authors highlight that microplastics can accumulate in crops and enter the human food chain, posing risks to food safety and human health, particularly through daily food and water consumption.

Environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological risks of plastic leachates in aquatic and terrestrial environments

This review examines how chemical additives that leach out of plastics -- including hormone disruptors like BPA and phthalates -- affect organisms in both water and land environments. The chemicals' harmful effects depend on environmental conditions like temperature and UV exposure, which influence how much leaches out and how easily organisms absorb it. The findings highlight that the danger of plastic pollution extends beyond the physical particles to the toxic chemicals they release.

Removal technologies of microplastics in soil and water environments: review on sources, ecotoxicity, and removal technologies

This review covers the sources, toxic effects, and removal methods for microplastics in both soil and water environments. The authors found that while various treatment technologies exist, most are still in early stages and preventing microplastics from entering the environment in the first place may be more practical than trying to clean them up afterward. The review also notes that far fewer studies have examined microplastic toxicity in soil organisms compared to aquatic species, leaving a significant knowledge gap.

Bioaccumulation, microbiome composition and immunity, and epigenetic signatures associated with exposure to spherical, fibrous, and fragmented microplastics in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to microplastics of different shapes (spheres, fibers, and fragments) and found that all types accumulated in the mussels but caused different toxic effects. Fiber-shaped microplastics changed shape inside the mussel tissue, and all forms altered the mussels' gut bacteria, immune gene activity, and DNA methylation patterns. Since mussels are widely consumed as seafood and serve as indicators of ocean health, these findings suggest that microplastic shape matters when assessing risks to both marine life and human food safety.

Microplastics as an emerging threat to amphibians: Current status and future perspectives

This review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in amphibians like frogs and salamanders, finding that over 80% of studied species had accumulated microplastics. The particles persisted in organs, showed toxic and gene-damaging effects, and could transfer through the food chain. Since amphibians are indicators of environmental health, widespread microplastic accumulation in these animals signals broader ecosystem contamination that can ultimately affect human food and water sources.

Disruption of early embryonic development in mice by polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics in an oxidative stress mechanism

Researchers found that nanoplastics made from polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic glass material) severely disrupted early embryo development in mice. The tiny particles entered embryo cells within 30 minutes and caused oxidative stress that reduced embryo quality and implantation rates by up to 70%. This study raises concerns that nanoplastics circulating in the body could threaten reproductive health and early pregnancy.

Responses of earthworms exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments

Researchers exposed earthworms to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments at various concentrations and studied the effects on their survival, growth, and reproduction. The microplastics affected earthworm behavior and caused measurable changes depending on concentration and exposure time. Since earthworms are critical for soil health and nutrient cycling, their sensitivity to microplastics raises concerns about how plastic pollution may degrade agricultural soils.

Combined Impact of Canada Goldenrod Invasion and Soil Microplastic Contamination on Seed Germination and Root Development of Wheat: Evaluating the Legacy of Toxicity

Researchers studied the combined effects of invasive Canada goldenrod and microplastic contamination on wheat seed germination and root growth. They found that both stressors individually and together impaired wheat development, with their combined impact being particularly concerning for agricultural productivity. The study highlights how multiple environmental stressors can interact to compound threats to food crops.

Potential Migration and Health Risks of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Take-Out Food Containers in South Korea

Researchers tested take-out food containers in South Korea for the potential migration of heavy metals and metalloids into food. They found measurable levels of metals like lead, antimony, and manganese transferring from certain container materials, with the amount varying by container type and food acidity. While most migration levels fell within safety limits, the study suggests ongoing monitoring is warranted as take-out food consumption continues to rise.

Effects of polyvinyl chloride and low-density polyethylene microplastics on oxidative stress and mitochondria function of earthworm (Eisenia fetida)

Researchers exposed earthworms to PVC and polyethylene microplastics in soil and measured the effects on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. Both plastic types caused significant cellular damage, with PVC proving more harmful by generating higher levels of reactive oxygen species and more severely disrupting the energy-producing mitochondria. The study provides evidence that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils could harm the earthworms that play a critical role in maintaining soil health.

Different recovery patterns of the surviving bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis based on transcriptome profiling exposed to spherical or fibrous polyethylene microplastics

Researchers used gene expression analysis to study how Mediterranean mussels respond to and recover from exposure to different shapes of polyethylene microplastics. They found that spherical and fibrous particles triggered distinct stress responses and different recovery patterns over a 14-day period. The study suggests that the shape of microplastics matters significantly in determining their biological impact on marine organisms.

Surface Charge-Dependent Cytotoxicity of Plastic Nanoparticles in Alveolar Cells under Cyclic Stretches

Researchers exposed human alveolar lung cells to polystyrene nanoparticles under cyclic stretching conditions that simulate breathing. They found that positively charged nanoparticles accumulated more readily in cells than negatively charged ones, and the combination of stretching and positive surface charge triggered cell death signaling. The study suggests that the surface charge of inhaled nanoplastics plays a critical role in determining their uptake and toxic effects in lung tissue.

Synthetic microfiber exposure negatively affects reproductive parameters in male medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Researchers exposed male medaka fish to fiber-type microplastics and found disruptions to the hormonal pathway that regulates reproduction. The microfibers triggered abnormal expression of reproductive hormones and induced vitellogenesis, a process normally occurring only in females, indicating endocrine disruption. The study suggests that microfiber ingestion may impair reproductive capacity in fish by interfering with hormonal signaling.

Exposure to nanoplastics impairs collective contractility of neonatal cardiomyocytes under electrical synchronization

Researchers studied how nanoplastics affect the contraction of neonatal rat heart cells in the lab. They found that positively charged nanoplastics accumulated on cell membranes and entered cells, leading to reduced calcium levels, disrupted electrical activity, mitochondrial damage, and increased reactive oxygen species, ultimately impairing the heart cells' ability to contract.

Microplastic induces mitochondrial pathway mediated cellular apoptosis in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) via inhibition of the AKT and ERK signaling pathway

Researchers exposed mussels to two common types of polystyrene microplastics and found that both triggered programmed cell death in the animals' tissues by disrupting key survival signaling pathways and causing mitochondrial damage. Irregularly shaped microplastics proved more harmful than smooth spherical ones. The study provides evidence that microplastic pollution can cause significant cellular damage in shellfish through specific biological mechanisms.

Impact of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems: A plant-centric perspective

This review focuses on how microplastics affect plants and soil health in agricultural settings, an area that has received less attention than marine microplastic pollution. The researchers describe how microplastics can alter soil structure, disrupt microbial communities, and enter plant tissues through unique transport mechanisms. The study highlights that agricultural soils are a major sink for microplastics, with potential consequences for food safety and crop productivity.

Metabolic responses of the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis after exposure to microplastics of different shapes and sizes

Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to microplastics of different shapes and sizes and found that round particles and small fibers accumulated the most in mussel tissues. These same particle types caused the most significant metabolic changes, altering amino acid processing and vitamin pathways. The findings suggest that the shape and size of microplastics play an important role in determining how much harm they cause to marine filter-feeding organisms.

Spatial distribution and historical trend of microplastic pollution in sediments from enclosed bays of South Korea

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in seafloor sediments from enclosed bays in South Korea, comparing urban, aquaculture, and conservation sites. Urban areas showed the highest contamination with the most diverse polymer types, while aquaculture sites were dominated by expanded polystyrene from fishing equipment. Analysis of sediment cores revealed that microplastic pollution has been steadily increasing over time, with historical trends correlating to industrialization patterns.

Effect of different types and shapes of microplastics on the growth of lettuce

Researchers tested how different types and shapes of microplastics in soil affect lettuce growth in pot experiments. They found that polyvinyl chloride fragments had the most negative impact on lettuce weight and root development, while low-density polyethylene fibers showed less effect. The study indicates that the type and shape of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils matters significantly for crop health outcomes.

Comparison of Cytotoxicity and Photocatalytic Properties of Iron Vanadate Nanoparticles with Commercial Catalysts: For the Degradation of Microplastics and Bacterial Inactivation Application

Researchers compared iron vanadate nanoparticles with commercial photocatalysts for degrading microplastics and inactivating bacteria using solar light. The iron vanadate catalyst showed moderate cytotoxicity at low concentrations and demonstrated effective photocatalytic activity against both microplastics and bacterial contamination. The study suggests that iron vanadate nanoparticles could serve as a dual-purpose water treatment material for addressing microplastic pollution and microbial contamination simultaneously.

Streptomycetes

This chapter reviews the potential of Streptomyces bacteria as a biological tool for environmental remediation, including the degradation of both conventional pollutants and emerging contaminants like microplastics and nanoplastics. Researchers examine the diverse enzymatic capabilities of streptomycetes, which naturally produce antibiotics, enzymes, and bioactive compounds useful for breaking down complex polymers and pollutants. The study highlights how this genus of actinomycetes could contribute to addressing plastic pollution through biodegradation.

Microplastic emissions from fishing ropes: Quantification, characteristics, and implications for marine pollution

Researchers quantified microplastics generated from the mechanical abrasion of polypropylene-based fishing ropes and found that over 92% of released particles were non-fiber fragments rather than fibers. Each additional kilogram of hauling weight produced roughly 1.4 extra microplastic particles per meter of rope. Global estimates suggest that fishing rope abrasion alone releases approximately 768 trillion microplastic particles annually, highlighting fishing gear as a substantial and often overlooked source of marine microplastic pollution.

Microplastics and nanoplastics in human health: a comprehensive review of exposure pathways, cellular mechanisms, and toxicological implications