Papers

Understanding microplastic pollution: Tracing the footprints and eco-friendly solutions

This review covers the sources, health impacts, detection methods, and biological removal strategies for microplastic pollution. Biological approaches using algae, bacteria, and fungi show promise for breaking down microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, which could help reduce the amount of these particles that ultimately reach humans through contaminated water and food.

Unveiling the detrimental effects of polylactic acid microplastics on rice seedlings and soil health

Researchers found that even biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics significantly harmed rice plants at high concentrations, reducing root and shoot weight by roughly half and disrupting photosynthesis, while also altering soil enzyme activity and bacterial communities. These findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are harmless to agriculture and raise questions about their impact on food crops that humans depend on.

Microplastics in water systems: A review of their impacts on the environment and their potential hazards

This review examines how microplastics spread through seawater, freshwater, and wastewater systems, summarizing their abundance, distribution patterns, and the environmental factors that control their movement. The paper highlights that aging microplastics become more effective at absorbing other pollutants, which increases their potential hazard when they enter drinking water sources or are consumed by organisms in the food chain.

Evaluation of size-dependent uptake, transport and cytotoxicity of polystyrene microplastic in a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model

Using a lab model of the blood-brain barrier, researchers found that smaller microplastics (0.2 micrometers) crossed into brain tissue far more readily than larger ones, increasing barrier permeability by up to 27 times after 72 hours. This suggests that the tiniest microplastics may pose the greatest risk to brain health, especially when inflammation is already present.

Health Effects of Microplastic Exposures: Current Issues and Perspectives in South Korea

This review from South Korea summarizes what is currently known about human exposure to microplastics through food, water, and air, and the potential health effects. The authors note that while microplastics are found everywhere from oceans to polar regions, research on their direct impacts on human health remains limited and more studies are needed on how particle size, shape, and type affect toxicity.

Organ-specific accumulation and toxicity analysis of orally administered polyethylene terephthalate microplastics

When mice were fed tiny PET plastic particles (the kind found in water bottles and food containers), the particles accumulated mainly in the lungs and caused inflammatory damage at higher doses. The study found that male mice were more sensitive than females, and the results highlight that microplastics swallowed through food and drink can travel to and harm organs beyond the digestive system.

Laser-Induced MXene-Functionalized Graphene Nanoarchitectonics-Based Microsupercapacitor for Health Monitoring Application

Researchers developed a flexible, wearable energy storage device that can monitor pulse and other body signals in real time. While not directly about microplastics, this type of wearable health technology could eventually be used to track health impacts from environmental exposures. The device achieved high energy density and lasted through thousands of charge cycles, making it practical for long-term health monitoring.

Polystyrene microplastics induce activation and cell death of neutrophils through strong adherence and engulfment

Researchers found that neutrophils (key immune cells that fight infections) strongly bind to and swallow polystyrene microplastics, mistaking them for bacteria. This triggers inflammation and eventually kills the neutrophils, and the same response was confirmed in both mouse and human immune cells. The findings suggest that microplastics accumulating in the body could weaken immune defenses by destroying these important infection-fighting cells.

Investigation of potential toxic effects of nano- and microplastics on human endometrial stromal cells

Researchers exposed human endometrial cells (uterine lining cells) to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found that smaller particles (100 nanometers) were taken up most readily, accumulating in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. At higher concentrations, the nanoplastics reduced cell growth and triggered cell death. These findings suggest that nanoplastics could pose a risk to uterine health and potentially affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

Microplastics generation from flooring materials under UV exposure: A comprehensive analysis of microplastics emission and chemical deformation

Researchers tested how common indoor flooring materials, including carpet tiles, laminate, and PVC flooring, release microplastics when exposed to UV light from sunlight and foot traffic. All three materials generated microplastic particles, with UV exposure accelerating the release and changing the chemical structure of the plastic surfaces. This study shows that indoor environments are a significant but often overlooked source of microplastic exposure through the air people breathe at home and work.

Plastic wastes (PWs) and microplastics (MPs) formation: Management, migration, and environmental impact

Mechanistic insight into interactive effect of microplastics and arsenic on growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and soil health indicators

Researchers tested how different types of microplastics interact with arsenic contamination in rice paddy soil, finding that biodegradable PLA microplastics actually increased arsenic uptake by rice plants by up to 39%. In contrast, conventional polyethylene microplastics slightly reduced arsenic absorption. This is an important finding because as agriculture shifts toward biodegradable plastics, they may inadvertently increase the transfer of toxic heavy metals from soil into food crops.

Microplastic Removal and Degradation by Mussel‐Inspired Adhesive Magnetic/Enzymatic Microrobots

Researchers developed tiny magnetic microrobots inspired by mussel adhesive chemistry that can capture and break down microplastics in water. The microrobots use a sticky polydopamine coating to grab microplastic particles and an enzymatic component to degrade them. The study demonstrates a novel, biocompatible approach to actively removing microplastic pollution from aquatic environments, offering a potential alternative to passive filtration methods.

Progress in microalgal mediated bioremediation systems for the removal of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals from wastewater

Researchers reviewed microalgae-based systems for removing antibiotics and pharmaceuticals from wastewater, summarizing bioadsorption, photodegradation, and bioaccumulation mechanisms, and highlighting how integrating microalgal treatment with biofuel or biochemical co-production can improve the economic viability of this approach.

Nano/Microplastics Capture and Degradation by Autonomous Nano/Microrobots: A Perspective

This perspective article explores how tiny self-propelled nano- and microrobots could be used to capture and break down microplastic and nanoplastic particles in water. Researchers reviewed recent advances showing these autonomous robots can efficiently collect plastic particles through enhanced physical interactions as they move through contaminated water. The technology represents a promising but still early-stage approach to actively cleaning up plastic pollution at scales too small for conventional methods.

An assessment of the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics in human derived cells

Researchers assessed the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics on human-derived cell lines and found that the particles triggered inflammatory responses and oxidative stress at concentrations relevant to environmental exposure. The microplastics also affected cell viability and caused measurable changes in immune-related gene expression. The study raises concerns about potential health effects from chronic human exposure to one of the most commonly produced plastic types.

Effects of UV degradation on building materials with emphasis on microplastic generation potential

Researchers exposed common indoor building materials to UV light and found that the materials gradually degraded, releasing microplastic particles into the indoor environment. Wallpapers and plastic sheets showed the highest potential for microplastic generation and posed elevated health risk scores from ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Since people spend most of their time indoors, these findings suggest that building materials are an overlooked source of daily microplastic exposure.

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics promotes premature cellular senescence through mitochondrial ROS production and dysfunction in pre-differentiated skeletal myoblasts

This lab study found that polystyrene nanoplastics caused premature aging in muscle precursor cells by damaging their mitochondria and triggering excessive production of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. The nanoplastics were absorbed into cells, accumulated there, and caused the cells to stop dividing and show signs of aging. This suggests that nanoplastic exposure could contribute to muscle deterioration and aging-related conditions by damaging the cells responsible for muscle repair.

Potential toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles

Researchers investigated the cellular-level toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles and found that they stimulated immune responses in a size- and concentration-dependent manner. The particles triggered the production of cytokines and chemokines, which are signaling molecules involved in inflammation. The study challenges the common assumption that microplastics pose minimal risk to human health, suggesting they may have immunological effects upon direct contact with cells.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis unveils nanoplastic-induced gut barrier dysfunction via STAT1/6 and ERK pathways

Researchers used transcriptomics and metabolomics in mice to show that orally consumed nanoplastics disrupt gut barrier integrity by activating STAT1, STAT6, NF-κB, and ERK signaling pathways, reducing tight junction proteins and increasing intestinal permeability in ways that worsen chemically induced colitis.

Magnetic Microrobot Swarms with Polymeric Hands Catching Bacteria and Microplastics in Water

Scientists developed tiny magnetic robots with polymer coatings that can swarm together and capture both bacteria and microplastics from water. The robots self-assemble into rotating formations when exposed to magnetic fields, effectively sweeping up contaminants as they move. This technology offers a promising new approach for cleaning microplastics from water supplies, which could help reduce human exposure to these pollutants.

PM10-bound microplastics and trace metals: A public health insight from the Korean subway and indoor environments

Researchers measured airborne microplastics bound to breathable dust particles in Korean subway stations, homes, and outdoor areas, finding indoor levels about four times higher than outdoors. Microplastic particles deposited in the lungs were highest in residential homes due to the amount of time people spend indoors. The study warns that long-term inhalation of these tiny plastic particles may significantly increase the risk of respiratory disease.

Microplastic exposure linked to accelerated aging and impaired adipogenesis in fat cells

Researchers found that microplastic exposure accelerates aging in fat tissue by triggering cellular senescence (a state where cells stop dividing and release inflammatory signals) in both mice and cell cultures. The microplastics accumulated in fat tissue, increased markers of aging and inflammation, and disrupted the normal development of new fat cells. These findings suggest that chronic microplastic exposure could contribute to age-related metabolic problems and obesity-related diseases in humans.

Photocatalysis dramatically influences motion of magnetic microrobots: Application to removal of microplastics and dyes

Researchers developed magnetic microrobots with photocatalytic capabilities that can capture and break down microplastics and dyes in water. They discovered that the photocatalysis process itself significantly changes the robots' movement patterns, which must be accounted for in design. This technology represents a promising approach to actively removing microplastic pollution from water environments.