Papers

9 results
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Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastic exposure in nasal lavage fluid and the influence of face masks

This study measured microplastics in nasal fluid from college students and found that wearing surgical masks actually increased microplastic exposure compared to no mask or cotton masks. Surgical masks released polycarbonate particles, and longer wear times led to higher microplastic levels. The findings suggest that while masks protect against airborne pathogens, they may be an overlooked source of microplastic inhalation.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastic PS and cadmium co-exposure accelerates ferroptosis mediated by HIF-1α-related signaling in spermatogonium

Researchers exposed mouse sperm precursor cells to nanoplastics combined with cadmium and found that co-exposure caused significantly more cell damage than either contaminant alone. The combined treatment triggered a form of cell death called ferroptosis through a specific signaling pathway involving the gene HIF-1a. The study suggests that nanoplastics may worsen the reproductive toxicity of heavy metals commonly found alongside plastic pollution in the environment.

2025 Free Radical Biology and Medicine 3 citations
Article Tier 2

The combined effects of polystyrene of different sizes and cadmium in mouse kidney tissues

Researchers studied how polystyrene particles of different sizes combined with cadmium affect kidney health in mice. They found that smaller nanoplastic particles (100 nm) caused more severe kidney damage than larger ones (1 micrometer), and that exposure to both sizes together with cadmium produced the worst outcomes. The study suggests that in real-world conditions where plastics of various sizes coexist with heavy metals, the combined toxic effects on kidneys may be more complicated and harmful than exposure to any single contaminant.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastics in the upper respiratory tract of indoor and outdoor workers

Researchers measured microplastic presence in the upper respiratory tracts of indoor office workers and outdoor couriers using nasal lavage and sputum samples. The study found microplastics in both groups, with office workers showing significantly higher nasal contamination than couriers, and the dominant plastic types differing between indoor and outdoor workers.

2022 Chemosphere 71 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidence on Invasion of Blood, Adipose Tissues, Nervous System and Reproductive System of Mice After a Single Oral Exposure: Nanoplastics versus Microplastics.

Researchers found that after a single oral exposure in mice, nanoplastics were rapidly absorbed into the blood, accumulated in fat tissues, and crossed both the blood-brain and blood-testis barriers. The study demonstrated that the distribution and behavior of plastic particles in mammals is strongly dependent on particle size, with nanoplastics showing substantially greater tissue penetration than microplastics.

2022 PubMed 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in domestic and fetal pigs’ lung tissue in natural environment: A preliminary study

In a preliminary study, researchers detected microplastics in lung tissue from both domestic pigs and fetal pigs in a natural environment, providing early evidence that inhaled microplastics can accumulate in mammalian lungs. The finding of particles in fetal pig lungs suggests the possibility that microplastic exposure may begin before birth, though further research is needed to understand the implications.

2022 Environmental Research 67 citations
Article Tier 2

The single and combined effects of decabromodiphenyl ethane and mixed microplastics on male mice reproductive toxicity

Researchers investigated the combined reproductive toxicity of mixed microplastics and the flame retardant DBDPE in male mice over seven weeks. The study found that DBDPE alone decreased sex hormone levels and sperm count, and when combined with microplastics, the effects on testicular damage, sperm malformation, and oxidative stress were compounded, suggesting that microplastics may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring chemical contaminants.

2025 Biology of Reproduction 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The Mechanism of Combined Exposure of Polystyrene Microplastics and Cadmium Inducing Hepatic Injury through the Modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Mediated Autophagy

Researchers examined liver damage in mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium, both alone and in combination, and found that triple exposure to 100-nanometer particles, 1-micrometer particles, and cadmium caused the most severe liver dysfunction. The study suggests that nanoscale microplastics significantly enhance cadmium-induced liver injury through disrupted autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

2026 Chemical Research in Toxicology
Article Tier 2

The Uptake and Distribution Evidence of Nano- and Microplastics <i>in vivo</i> after a Single High Dose of Oral Exposure.

This in vivo study provided evidence on the uptake and organ distribution of nano- and microplastics following a single high-dose administration, finding that nanoplastics translocated rapidly to multiple organs through blood circulation while only small amounts of larger microplastics penetrated organs.

2024 PubMed 1 citations