Papers

A systematic review and quality assessment of estimated daily intake of microplastics through food

This systematic review assessed how much microplastic people consume through food daily. While estimates vary widely due to differences in study methods, the evidence confirms that humans regularly ingest microplastics through seafood, water, salt, and other common foods.

Biodegradable plastics in soils: sources, degradation, and effects

This review examines whether biodegradable plastics are truly a safe alternative to conventional plastics in soil. While they do break down faster, the degradation process releases microplastics and potentially toxic byproducts that can harm soil organisms, reduce plant growth, and disrupt the microbial communities that maintain soil health.

Current trends, limitations and future research in the fungi?

This broad review of modern mycology (the study of fungi) covers emerging fungal diseases, drug discovery from fungi, genomics advances, and how fungi can be used in construction and circular economies. While not directly about microplastics, some fungi show promise for biodegrading plastic waste, making mycology research relevant to addressing microplastic pollution.

Advancements in Biochar as a Sustainable Adsorbent for Water Pollution Mitigation

This review examines how biochar, a charcoal-like material made from plant waste, can remove over 80% of microplastics and nanoplastics from contaminated water, along with heavy metals and other pollutants. Advances in biochar production and machine learning optimization are making it a promising, sustainable tool for cleaning microplastic-polluted water before it reaches people.

Microplastics in aquatic ecosystems of Africa: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis integrating data from 75 studies found that African aquatic ecosystems are highly contaminated with microplastics compared to global averages, with fibers and fragments being the most prevalent shapes. Sampling methods significantly affect reported abundance, and the environmental risk assessment revealed that polyethylene and polypropylene are the dominant polymer types across African rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Chronic lung tissue deposition of inhaled polyethylene microplastics may lead to fibrotic lesions

In a mouse study, inhaled polyethylene microplastics accumulated in lung tissue over 90 days of repeated exposure, causing chronic inflammation, immune changes, and early signs of lung scarring (fibrosis). Even at the lowest doses, the microplastics triggered inflammatory cell buildup and thickening of lung walls. These findings suggest that long-term breathing of airborne microplastics could lead to permanent lung damage, which is concerning given rising levels of plastic particles in indoor and outdoor air.

The reactive oxygen species as pathogenic factors of fragmented microplastics to macrophages

Researchers tested how fragment-shaped microplastics from polypropylene and polystyrene affect different human cell types and found that immune cells called macrophages were the most vulnerable. The toxicity was driven by the microplastics' ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interestingly, weathered plastics were less toxic because environmental aging made them better at binding protective proteins. The study suggests that macrophages are a primary target cell for ingested microplastics and that oxidative stress is a key mechanism of their toxicity.

Polystyrene Microplastics Exacerbate Systemic Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics significantly worsened inflammation and metabolic problems in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. The microplastics were found throughout the body including the brain, where they activated immune cells in the hypothalamus, a region that controls appetite and metabolism. This study suggests that microplastic exposure could be an overlooked factor contributing to the worsening of obesity-related health problems like insulin resistance and chronic inflammation.

Pre/post-natal exposure to microplastic as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder

Researchers investigated whether microplastic exposure could be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder by testing the effects of polyethylene particles on mice at different life stages. They found that microplastics accumulated in the brain and that prenatal exposure in particular led to behavioral changes in offspring resembling autistic traits. The study suggests a possible link between early microplastic exposure and neurodevelopmental effects, though more research is needed to understand the relevance to humans.

An Emerging Role of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Vascular Diseases

This review summarizes emerging research on how micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to vascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide. Studies suggest that these tiny plastic particles can damage blood vessel walls, promote inflammation, and worsen conditions like atherosclerosis. While more research is needed, the evidence points to microplastic exposure as a potential new risk factor for heart and blood vessel diseases.

Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Mitochondria

This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics can damage mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside cells that are critical for metabolism and cell survival. Researchers found that plastic particle exposure can trigger oxidative stress, disrupt mitochondrial membrane function, and interfere with energy production pathways. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to numerous health conditions, the study suggests this may be a key mechanism through which plastic pollution affects human health.

Size- and oxidative potential-dependent toxicity of environmentally relevant expanded polystyrene styrofoam microplastics to macrophages

Researchers tested how Styrofoam microplastics of different sizes and weathering conditions affect human immune cells and found that smaller particles, UV-weathered particles, and those from real-world sources were all more toxic. The microplastics triggered inflammation through a pathway called the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is linked to many chronic diseases. This is concerning because most Styrofoam in the environment has been weathered by sunlight, meaning the real-world health risks may be worse than lab studies using fresh materials suggest.

Microplastics in Weras Ganga, Bolgoda North Lake, Sri Lanka: A Reflection of Urban Waste Mismanagement

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in a river and lake system near an open waste dump in Sri Lanka and found microplastics present in all water and sediment samples. Over half of the particles were fibers, and smaller microplastics dominated near the dump site, with sediments acting as a major sink for contamination. The study highlights how inadequate waste management practices directly contribute to microplastic pollution in urban waterways.

Active Fish Gelatin/Chitosan Blend Film Incorporated with Guava Leaf Powder Carbon Dots: Properties, Release and Antioxidant Activity

Researchers developed active food packaging films by incorporating carbon dots derived from guava leaf powder into gelatin and chitosan blends. The films showed improved UV-blocking properties and antioxidant activity that increased with higher carbon dot content. The study presents these biodegradable films as a potential alternative to conventional plastic packaging for extending food shelf life without synthetic additives.

Comprehensive assessment of chlorination disinfection on microplastic-associated biofilms

Researchers tested how well chlorine disinfection works against biofilms that form on microplastic surfaces in water. They found that while chlorination effectively killed bacteria on the microplastics, some resistant species survived and the process altered the microbial community structure. The findings suggest that microplastics in water systems may harbor bacteria that are harder to eliminate through standard disinfection methods.

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.

Comparison of Pollutant Effects on Cutaneous Inflammasomes Activation

Researchers compared how different environmental pollutants, including microplastics, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust, ozone, and UV light, activate inflammatory pathways in human skin tissue. They found that each pollutant triggered distinct patterns of inflammasome activation, with microplastics and diesel exhaust producing particularly notable inflammatory responses. The study provides evidence that airborne pollutants, including microplastics, may contribute to skin inflammation and related skin conditions through specific molecular pathways.

Tire wear particles in aquatic environments: From biota to ecosystem impacts

This review synthesizes current knowledge on tire wear particles as a major source of traffic-related microplastic pollution in aquatic environments. The study found that tire wear particles and their chemical leachates, including heavy metals like zinc and organic compounds like 6-PPD, induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in aquatic organisms while disrupting biodiversity and destabilizing food web dynamics at the ecosystem level.

Inhalation of dust accumulated on personal computer fans in the office may cause pathological effects by disrupting the metabolic activity of alveolar macrophages

Researchers collected dust from personal computer fans in offices and found it contained various types of microplastics and non-protein particles. When mice were exposed to this dust over 90 days, they developed lung inflammation, foamy macrophages, mitochondrial damage, and collagen fiber formation in lung and heart tissues. The study suggests that inhaling office dust containing microplastics may disrupt metabolic activity in lung cells and contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular effects.

Mitigated toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in combination exposure with copper ions by transformation into copper (I) oxide: Inhibits the oxidative potential of nanoplastics

Researchers investigated how combining polystyrene nanoplastics with copper ions affects toxicity in laboratory and animal models. They found that when copper interacted with the nanoplastics, it transformed into copper oxide, which actually reduced the overall toxicity by inhibiting the oxidative potential of the plastic particles. The study provides evidence that the combined environmental behavior of nanoplastics and metals can produce unexpected toxicological outcomes.

Maltol has anti-cancer effects via modulating PD-L1 signaling pathway in B16F10 cells

Researchers found that maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, showed anti-melanoma activity by suppressing the PD-L1 immune checkpoint signaling pathway in mouse skin cancer cells. The compound enhanced the effectiveness of cisplatin chemotherapy and increased immune cell-mediated destruction of cancer cells. The study suggests that maltol may have potential as a complementary agent in melanoma immunotherapy approaches.

In-situ formation of Ag2O in metal-organic framework for light-driven upcycling of microplastics coupled with hydrogen production

Researchers developed a light-activated catalyst that can break down microplastics while simultaneously producing hydrogen gas as a clean energy byproduct, using a novel metal-organic framework material that converts plastic pollution into useful chemicals — offering a potential two-in-one solution for plastic waste and energy production.

Soil microplastic analysis: a harmonized methodology

This review critically evaluates existing methods for sampling, separating, identifying, and quantifying microplastics in soils, and proposes a comprehensive eight-phase analytical methodology. Researchers emphasize that most current soil microplastic methods were adapted from marine research without adequately accounting for the complexity and heterogeneity of soil ecosystems. The study calls for globally coordinated standardization efforts to improve comparability of microplastic measurements across different soil studies.

Reduced cellular process and developmental process genotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish embryogenesis using Aurelia aurita proteins