Papers

Microplastic particles in human blood and their association with coagulation markers

In a study of 36 healthy adults, microplastics were detected in the blood of 89% of participants, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. Higher microplastic levels were associated with changes in blood clotting markers, suggesting that plastic particles in our bloodstream may affect how our blood coagulates, though larger studies are needed to confirm this link.

Microplastics Accumulation Induces Kynurenine-Derived Neurotoxicity in Cerebral Organoids and Mouse Brain

Researchers found that microplastics accumulate in brain tissue in both lab-grown brain models and mice, where they trigger a toxic pathway that produces harmful compounds called kynurenines, leading to brain inflammation and DNA damage. This study provides a specific biological mechanism for how microplastics could contribute to brain damage and neurological problems in humans.

Polystyrene nanoplastics promote the blood-brain barrier dysfunction through autophagy pathway and excessive erythrophagocytosis

Polystyrene nanoplastics (extremely tiny plastic particles) were found to damage the blood-brain barrier, the protective shield that keeps harmful substances out of the brain. The particles disrupted brain cell function by interfering with iron regulation and also damaged red blood cells, which then caused further harm to the barrier, revealing multiple ways that nanoplastics could threaten brain health.

Type-dependent effects of nanoplastics on microglial activation and CXCR2-mediated chemotactic migration

Researchers compared how nanoplastics made from three different plastic types affect brain immune cells called microglia. They found that PMMA (acrylic) nanoplastics caused the strongest inflammatory response and increased the migration of immune cells, which could worsen neurological damage. This matters because most microplastic studies only test polystyrene, but real-world plastic pollution includes many plastic types that may have different effects on brain health.

First Report on Microplastics Quantification in Poultry Chicken and Potential Human Health Risks in Pakistan

Researchers in Pakistan found microplastics in the crops and gizzards of poultry chickens from eight different farms, identifying over 1,200 particles across 24 samples. Fibers were the most common type, likely coming from plastic feed bags and the farm environment. Since chicken is a major protein source, this study reveals another pathway through which microplastics may enter the human diet.

MXenes as Emerging Materials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

This review covers MXenes, a family of two-dimensional materials with unique layered structures that show promise for energy and environmental applications. Researchers examined how MXenes can be synthesized and modified to enhance their properties for uses including photocatalysis, gas sensing, and water treatment. The materials' ability to be tuned through changes in composition and surface chemistry makes them potential candidates for addressing environmental contamination challenges.

Biomass-derived multiatom-doped carbon dots for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and precipitation of Cr(III)

Researchers created tiny fluorescent carbon dots from plant leaves that can remove toxic hexavalent chromium from contaminated water using sunlight as the energy source. The material achieved up to 100% removal of the heavy metal in acidic conditions and worked well across different types of natural water. While focused on heavy metal cleanup rather than microplastics directly, this technology is relevant because microplastics often carry and concentrate heavy metals like chromium in water environments.

Detection and classification of microplastics in green tea using SERS with gold nanoparticle substrates integrating chemometrics and deep learning

Researchers developed a method using surface-enhanced Raman scattering with gold nanoparticle substrates to detect and classify polystyrene and PET microplastic contamination in green tea powders. They compared chemometric and deep learning classification approaches, finding that partial least squares discriminant analysis achieved the highest accuracy at 100% for most tea varieties. The method offers a practical tool for detecting microplastic contamination in food products.

Hepatoprotective effects of astragalin against polystyrene microplastics induced hepatic damage in male albino rats by modulating Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway

Researchers investigated whether astragalin, a natural plant compound, could protect against liver damage caused by polystyrene microplastics in rats. They found that microplastic exposure triggered oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, but astragalin treatment restored antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced damage. The study suggests that natural compounds may help counteract some of the harmful effects microplastics have on liver health.

Sakuranetin counteracts polyethylene microplastics induced nephrotoxic effects via modulation of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway

Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics caused kidney damage in rats by increasing oxidative stress and disrupting a key protective cellular pathway. However, when the natural plant compound sakuranetin was administered alongside the microplastics, it significantly reduced the kidney damage by restoring antioxidant defenses. The study suggests that certain natural compounds may help counteract some of the harmful effects of microplastic exposure on organ health.

Didymin protects against polystyrene nanoplastic-induced hepatic damage in male albino rats by modulation of Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway

Researchers tested whether didymin, a natural compound found in citrus fruits, could protect rat livers from damage caused by polystyrene nanoplastics. They found that didymin significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation by activating a key protective cellular pathway. The study suggests that certain dietary compounds may help counteract some of the harmful effects of nanoplastic exposure on the liver.

Attenuative effects of poncirin against polyethylene microplastics-prompted hepatotoxicity in rats

Researchers tested whether poncirin, a natural plant compound, could protect rat livers from damage caused by polyethylene microplastics. They found that microplastic exposure caused significant oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver tissue damage, which poncirin was able to substantially reduce by activating protective antioxidant pathways. The study suggests that natural compounds like poncirin may help counteract some of the harmful effects of microplastic exposure on the liver.

Repeated-oral dose toxicity of polyethylene microplastics and the possible implications on reproduction and development of the next generation

Researchers administered polyethylene microplastics to mice by oral gavage for 90 days and observed significant effects including reduced body weight gain, increased neutrophil counts, and immune system changes. Microplastic-like material persisted in stomach tissue, and immune markers were altered in treated animals. A follow-up reproductive study found that microplastic exposure affected the number of live births, sex ratio of pups, and offspring immune cell populations, suggesting the need for further reproductive toxicity testing.

Microplastic contamination in urban aquatic environments: Occurrence characteristics in urban streams and stormwater runoff from urban surfaces

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in urban streams and stormwater runoff across different seasons and found that wastewater treatment plant discharges were a major source during dry weather. During rainy periods, stormwater runoff from roads and rooftops contributed additional microplastics, predominantly fibers and fragments. The study highlights that urban water systems receive microplastic pollution from multiple pathways year-round.

A qualitative method for detecting microplastics in liquid herbal medicine using gold nanoparticle SERS substrates

Chemical Detection Using Mobile Platforms and AI-Based Data Processing Technologies

This review examines the use of mobile platforms such as smartphones and drones equipped with chemical sensors for environmental monitoring, including air pollution and industrial waste detection. Researchers surveyed various sensor technologies and how machine learning is being applied to improve the accuracy of chemical detection from portable devices. While broadly focused on chemical sensing, the work is relevant to developing field-deployable monitoring tools for environmental contaminants including microplastic-associated pollutants.

VNIR and SWIR Hyperspectral Imaging for Microplastic detection on Soil

Researchers used non-destructive hyperspectral imaging in visible-near infrared and short-wave infrared ranges to detect microplastics on soil surfaces. Using seven different cryo-milled microplastic polymers and partial least squares analysis, the study demonstrates that hyperspectral imaging can identify microplastics in soil without the complicated, time-consuming steps required by conventional detection methods.

Non-destructive identification of microplastics in soil using spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging

Use of mesocosm and field studies to assess the effects of nutrient levels on phytoplankton population dynamics in Korean coastal waters

Researchers combined mesocosm experiments with field observations to assess how nutrient levels affect phytoplankton populations in Korean coastal waters. The study found that nutrient enrichment shifted phytoplankton community composition, with implications for understanding how runoff and pollution influence coastal ecosystem dynamics.

Palliative potential of robinetin to avert polystyrene microplastics instigated pulmonary toxicity in rats

Researchers investigated whether the flavonoid compound robinetin could protect against lung damage caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure in rats. They found that robinetin supplementation reduced oxidative stress markers and inflammatory responses in lung tissue that had been damaged by microplastic ingestion. The study suggests that certain natural compounds may help mitigate some of the harmful effects of microplastic exposure on respiratory tissues.

Metabolomic Studies for the Evaluation of Toxicity Induced by Environmental Toxicants on Model Organisms

This review described how environmental metabolomics — measuring small-molecule profiles in model organisms — can be used to assess the toxicity of environmental contaminants including microplastics, heavy metals, and pesticides, and highlighted key organisms, methods, and data analysis approaches.

Recycling, Material Flow, and Recycled Content Demands of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles towards a Circular Economy in Korea

This study examined the recycling system and material flow of PET bottles in Korea under different consumption reduction scenarios. The findings suggest that while PET recycling rates have improved under extended producer responsibility policies, achieving a true circular economy for plastic bottles requires further increases in recycled content and reductions in overall consumption.

Microscopic Image Dataset with Segmentation and Detection Labels for Microplastic Analysis in Sewage: Enhancing Research and Environmental Monitoring

Researchers created a novel microscopic image dataset with segmentation and detection labels specifically designed for identifying microplastics in sewage samples. The dataset is paired with deep learning models that can automatically detect and classify microplastic particles in complex wastewater images. This resource aims to accelerate environmental monitoring efforts by providing standardized training data for computer vision-based microplastic detection systems.

Maternal exposure to polypropylene nanoplastics disrupts sex- and region-specific lipid metabolism in the brains of C57BL/6N mouse offspring

Pregnant mice were exposed to polypropylene nanoplastics, and offspring brains were analyzed using targeted lipidomics across different brain regions and sexes. The study found that prenatal exposure disrupted lipid metabolism in a sex- and region-specific manner, indicating that early developmental exposure to nanoplastics can have lasting effects on brain biochemistry.