Papers

Impact of microplastics on the human gut microbiome: a systematic review of microbial composition, diversity, and metabolic disruptions

This systematic review of 12 studies found that microplastics including polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC induce gut dysbiosis in humans, reducing beneficial bacteria and enriching pathogens. Microplastic exposure also impairs short-chain fatty acid production and modulates immune pathways, contributing to intestinal disease, metabolic syndrome, and chronic inflammation.

Technologies to eliminate microplastic from water: Current approaches and future prospects

This review surveys the different technologies available for removing microplastics from water, from basic filtration to advanced methods like magnetic separation and electrochemical treatment. Conventional approaches struggle with very small particles, while newer techniques are more effective but expensive and energy-intensive. Biological methods using bacteria, fungi, and algae offer a more eco-friendly alternative but need further development.

Microplastic Toxicity in Aquatic Organisms and Aquatic Ecosystems: a Review

Microplastic sources, formation, toxicity and remediation: a review

This review covers where microplastics come from, how they form, and their toxic effects on humans, noting that microplastics have been found in blood, stool, sputum, saliva, and placenta. The paper links microplastic exposure to cancer, intestinal disease, cardiovascular problems, and inflammatory conditions, and describes cleanup methods including filtration, adsorption, and photocatalytic degradation.

Ecotoxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics in endocrine systems: a systematic review

Quantification and characterization of airborne microplastics in the coastal area of Terengganu, Malaysia

Researchers measured airborne microplastics in a coastal city in Malaysia and found an average of about 5,476 particles per square meter per day, with fibers making up over 99% of what was collected. Heavy metals like aluminum and cadmium were found attached to the surface of these airborne particles. The study shows that people in coastal areas are breathing in microplastics that may also carry toxic metals, raising concerns about the combined health effects of inhaling contaminated plastic particles.

Assessing the concentration, distribution and characteristics of suspended microplastics in the Malaysian indoor environment

Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels inside offices, classrooms, apartments, and homes across Malaysia over six weeks. Microplastics were found in every indoor environment tested, with fibers being the most common type, and people in homes were estimated to inhale more microplastics daily than those in offices or classrooms. The findings highlight that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people.

Review of microplastics in the indoor environment: Distribution, human exposure and potential health impacts

This review comprehensively analyzes microplastic contamination in indoor environments, where most people spend the majority of their time. Researchers found that indoor exposure to microplastics comes from multiple sources including dust, air, drinking water, and food, with finer particles posing the greatest concern because they can enter the bloodstream and organs. The findings suggest that indoor microplastic exposure represents a meaningful but understudied health risk that requires further research into mitigation strategies.

The imperative for actions to protect and promote human health within Earth-system boundaries

Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics in gastrointestinal tract on gut health: A systematic review.

This systematic review provides the first comprehensive look at how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the human gut using laboratory models. The findings help explain how these tiny particles may damage the digestive tract lining and trigger inflammation, which is important for understanding the health risks of swallowing microplastics in food and water.

Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Systematic Review

This systematic review summarizes research on microplastics found in the human gastrointestinal tract. It highlights that microplastics are accumulating in our digestive systems through food and water, and calls for urgent research to understand how these particles may affect gut health and overall well-being.

Microplastics pollution in salt pans from the Maheshkhali Channel, Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed sea salt samples from eight salt pans in the Maheshkhali Channel of Bangladesh and found microplastic contamination in every sample, with concentrations ranging from 78 to 137 particles per kilogram. Fragments were the most common type, and the dominant polymers identified were terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. The findings highlight that sea salt represents a potentially significant route of human dietary exposure to microplastics.

Polymer-based nanocarriers for biomedical and environmental applications

This review covers the fabrication, design, and applications of polymer-based nanocarriers in biomedical and environmental fields. The study highlights their use in targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy, as well as their ability to remove heavy metals and contaminants from air and water, while noting current challenges for future development.

Microplastics release from coronary catheters: Insights from catheter analysis

This study examined whether cardiac catheters used in heart procedures release microplastic particles, and found that all 21 catheter samples tested shed microplastics of varying sizes and types. The findings raise important questions about patient safety, since these tiny plastic fragments could enter the bloodstream during routine cardiovascular procedures.

Spatial distribution and risk assessments due to the microplastics pollution in sediments of Karnaphuli River Estuary, Bangladesh

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution in sediments of the Karnaphuli River Estuary in Bangladesh, analyzing samples from 30 stations. They found widespread contamination with fibers being the dominant shape, and polymer types including polyethylene and polypropylene predominating. The study's risk assessment indicates that microplastic pollution levels in this estuary pose ecological concerns and are linked to surrounding urban and industrial activities.

Relationship of Suspended Atmospheric Microplastics and Meteorological Parameters in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Researchers examined the relationship between suspended atmospheric microplastics and meteorological parameters in Kuala Lumpur, finding that weather conditions including temperature, humidity, and wind patterns influence airborne microplastic concentrations.

Spatiotemporal trends and characteristics of microplastic contamination in a large river-dominated estuary

Researchers characterized spatiotemporal trends in microplastic contamination in the Karnaphuli River estuary in Bangladesh, finding significant correlations between microplastic abundance and water quality parameters across upstream, midstream, and downstream sites.

Environmental Influences on Microplastics and Particulate Matter Resuspension in Indoor Air: A Study of Office Settings with Air Conditioning

Researchers analyzed airborne microplastics in office environments with air conditioning in Malaysia, finding that bead-shaped particles smaller than 50 micrometers were the most prevalent. Environmental factors like wind speed and humidity influenced microplastic abundance, and a potential correlation with particulate matter emissions was noted. The study estimates daily microplastic intake through dust ingestion and highlights associated health risks in indoor workspaces.

Interactions between marine megafauna and plastic pollution in Southeast Asia

Researchers reviewed published cases of marine megafauna — including sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds — entangled in or having ingested plastics across Southeast Asia, a region that contributes roughly a third of global marine plastic pollution. Despite the scale of the problem, scientific documentation of plastic impacts on wildlife in the region remains far behind other parts of the world, highlighting a critical data gap.

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in seawater, sediment, and crude salt from Madura Island, the largest solar salt production island in Indonesia

Occurrence, spatial distribution, and risk assessment of microplastics in surface water and sediments of Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal

Researchers surveyed microplastic occurrence in surface water and sediments around Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal, finding widespread contamination with spatial distribution patterns linked to tourism and fishing activities, and conducted ecological risk assessment.

PPE pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic environment of the Chittagong city area associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant health implications

Researchers documented the improper disposal of face masks and other personal protective equipment in the Chittagong metropolitan area of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread terrestrial and aquatic contamination with plastic microfibers that poses risks for both viral persistence and microplastic pollution.

3-D models for studying microplastics effects on humans

Airborne Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Environments at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus

Researchers collected airborne microplastic samples from indoor and outdoor environments at a Malaysian university campus, finding microplastics present in all locations with higher concentrations indoors and fiber morphologies predominating, suggesting occupants are continually exposed via inhalation.