Papers

Systematic review of potential developmental and reproductive toxicity of microplastics

This systematic review critically evaluated 24 mammalian studies on the reproductive and developmental effects of microplastic exposure. While the existing research suggests potential harm to fertility and development, the review found significant methodological weaknesses across all studies. The authors caution that current evidence is not yet strong enough to draw firm conclusions, and better-designed studies are urgently needed.

Next Generation Risk Assessment approaches for advanced nanomaterials: Current status and future perspectives

This paper proposes a framework for assessing the safety of advanced nanomaterials using newer testing methods that reduce the need for animal studies. The tiered approach combines existing data with targeted testing to evaluate health risks cost-effectively. While focused on engineered nanomaterials broadly, the framework is relevant to understanding the risks of nanoplastics and could help regulators develop safety standards for these emerging contaminants.

Everything falls apart: How solids degrade and release nanomaterials, composite fragments, and microplastics

This review examines how solid materials -- including plastics, coatings, and composites -- break down and release tiny particles throughout their lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal. The type and amount of particles released depend on the material's composition and the stresses it faces, such as mechanical wear, sunlight, and heat. Understanding these release mechanisms is crucial because they determine how much microplastic and nanoplastic pollution enters the environment and ultimately reaches humans.

Melamine in the environment: a critical review of available information

Researchers reviewed what is known about melamine contamination in the environment, a chemical used in plastics, coatings, and fertilizers. The study found that melamine is widespread in soil, water, and food, and can pose health risks including kidney damage at high exposure levels. The review highlights significant gaps in our understanding of how melamine moves through ecosystems and accumulates over time.

Tracking Dynamic Chemical Reactivity Networks with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry: A Case of Microplastic-Derived Dissolved Organic Carbon

Researchers developed a new method using high-resolution mass spectrometry to track how microplastics made of polyurethane break down into thousands of chemical byproducts when exposed to simulated sunlight in seawater. They found that degradation does not simply break plastics into smaller pieces but creates a complex web of chemical reactions producing many different organic compounds. This is important because these dissolved chemical byproducts from microplastic breakdown could have their own toxic effects on marine life and potentially enter the human food chain.

Captivating Colors, Crucial Roles: Astaxanthin’s Antioxidant Impact on Fish Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Performance

This review examines how the antioxidant astaxanthin can protect fish from oxidative stress and improve their reproductive health in aquaculture settings. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastic exposure causes oxidative stress in fish, and antioxidants like astaxanthin could help mitigate that damage. Understanding these protective mechanisms may be important for maintaining the health and safety of farmed fish destined for human consumption.

Oral toxicity of small microplastic of polyamide assessed by a standardized guideline study

Researchers conducted a standardized 28-day oral toxicity study feeding rats high doses (1,000 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) of tiny polyamide (nylon) microplastics, finding no detectable toxic effects on blood, organs, or tissue in any of the animals. While reassuring at this dose level, the authors note the study used pristine particles and that real-world exposure involves weathered plastics with potentially different properties.

Polymers of low concern? Assessment of microplastic particles used in 3D printing regarding their toxicity on Raphidocelis subcapitata and Daphnia magna

Researchers systematically tested 16 different microplastic materials — including powders used in 3D printing — for toxicity on water fleas and green algae, two common ecotoxicology test species. Most polymers showed some toxicity, but overall effects were low enough that the researchers concluded none of the materials tested raised serious concern for hazardous environmental effects.

Microplastic Materials for Inhalation Studies: Preparation by Solvent Precipitation and Comprehensive Characterization

Researchers used solvent precipitation to produce respirable microplastic test materials smaller than 4 micrometers from four common plastic types for use in inhalation toxicity studies. They comprehensively characterized the resulting particles for chemical composition, molecular properties, size, shape, and potential contaminants. The study found that PET, PA-6, and TPU test materials were representative and suitable for inhalation studies, while LDPE posed challenges due to its hydrophobicity causing particle aggregation.

Complementary analysis of pristine, UV-aged and extracted microplastics using single particle ICP-MS and OF2i-Raman spectroscopy

Researchers evaluated two emerging techniques for analyzing individual microplastic particles: single particle ICP-MS for measuring carbon mass per particle, and a novel optofluidic force induction Raman spectroscopy method for identifying polymer type. When applied together to study UV degradation of nylon-6 and polyethylene, the techniques provided complementary information linking physical size changes to molecular structural alterations. The study demonstrates how combining these methods can improve detection and characterization of environmentally aged microplastics.

Lung retention, distribution and persistence of polymer particles in rats exposed via inhalation

Researchers studied the fate of inhaled polymer particles in rats by exposing them to polystyrene and polyamide aerosols for 28 days. The study found that both types of particles accumulated in the lungs and migrated to lung-draining lymph nodes, but were not detected in the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The particles persisted in lung tissue for weeks after exposure ended, highlighting potential concerns about long-term retention of inhaled microplastics.

Similarity of multicomponent nanomaterials in a safer-by-design context: the case of core–shell quantum dots

Researchers explored how concepts of material similarity can be applied to complex multicomponent nanomaterials like core-shell quantum dots in a safer-by-design framework. The study aims to help balance material performance with potential hazards by identifying structurally similar nanomaterials. The approach could inform safer manufacturing decisions for advanced materials without requiring extensive individual toxicity testing.

Matrix Matters: novel insights for the extraction, preparation, and quantitation of microplastics in a freshwater mesocosm study

Researchers developed improved methods for extracting, preparing, and quantifying secondary microplastics in freshwater mesocosm studies, addressing the current lack of reliable extraction techniques needed for robust microplastic exposure and risk assessments.

Lessons Learned from the Grouping of Chemicals to Assess Risks to Human Health

This review examines chemical grouping strategies used in EU-REACH and US-TSCA programs for health risk assessment, deriving ten principles for effective grouping based on structural similarity and toxicological properties to expedite risk management.

Lung retention, distribution and persistence of polymer particles in rats exposed via inhalation

Researchers studied the fate of inhaled polymer particles in rats by exposing them to polystyrene and polyamide aerosols for 28 days. The study found that both types of particles accumulated in the lungs and migrated to lung-draining lymph nodes, but were not detected in the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The particles persisted in lung tissue for weeks after exposure ended, raising questions about the long-term bioavailability and fate of inhaled microplastics.

P29-16 Interspecies Comparison of Inhalation Toxicity of PA-6 Particles: Insights from Transcriptomics in In vivo Rat Studies and In vitro Human Alveolar Models

Environmental Impacts by Fragments Released from Nanoenabled Products: A Multiassay, Multimaterial Exploration by the SUN Approach

This study tested whether fragments released from nano-enabled products — materials containing engineered nanoparticles — caused environmental harm, finding that fragment effects were generally lower than those of the embedded nanomaterials alone. The results are relevant to assessing whether degradation of nanomaterial-containing consumer products generates hazardous micro- and nanoscale debris.

Moving persistence assessments into the 21st century: A role for weight-of-evidence and overall persistence

This review argues for modernizing chemical persistence assessments by moving beyond simplified laboratory biodegradation tests toward weight-of-evidence approaches that incorporate multiple fate processes and environmental conditions to better predict real-world persistence of chemicals including plastic additives.

Aerogels are not regulated as nanomaterials, but can be assessed by tiered testing and grouping strategies for nanomaterials

Aerogels, which have unique properties like high porosity and low density used in insulation and food or pharma applications, do not meet the regulatory definition of nanomaterials under REACH but still require safety assessment. This paper proposes a tiered testing framework for evaluating aerogel safety that reflects their physical and chemical behavior.

Biodegradation of <scp>water‐soluble</scp> and <scp>water‐dispersible</scp> polymers for agricultural, consumer, and industrial applications—Challenges and opportunities for sustainable materials solutions

This review examines the biodegradability of water-soluble and water-dispersible polymers used in agricultural, consumer, and industrial products, assessing how polymer structure and application context affect degradation rates and environmental safety. The authors argue that biodegradability must be evaluated in realistic use conditions rather than idealized laboratory settings to accurately assess environmental risk.

Microplastic-Free Microcapsules Using Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Bis-Urea Molecules at an Emulsion Interface

This study developed microplastic-free microcapsules using supramolecular self-assembly chemistry, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional polymer-shelled capsules used in cosmetics and personal care products. The capsules showed effective encapsulation and controlled release properties.

The Frontier of Plastics Recycling: Rethinking Waste as a Resource for High‐Value Applications

This review examines the current state and future prospects of plastics recycling within a circular economy framework, arguing that mechanical recycling alone is insufficient and that chemical recycling, design-for-recyclability, and extended producer responsibility must all be scaled simultaneously. The authors identify high-value applications for recycled plastics as essential incentives for building economically sustainable recycling systems.

88 Microplastic References for Inhalation Studies

This study developed standardized reference microplastic particles in multiple polymer types (TPU, PA-6, PET, LDPE) in the sub-10 micron respirable size range, addressing a critical gap in inhalation toxicology research where consistent reference materials have been lacking. Having well-characterized reference particles will allow different labs to produce comparable results when studying how inhaled microplastics affect lung cells.

Microencapsulation of High‐Content Actives Using Biodegradable Silk Materials

Researchers developed biodegradable silk fibroin microcapsules capable of encapsulating high concentrations of active ingredients through controlled protein assembly, offering a scalable alternative to conventional non-degradable plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and consumer care products.