Papers

Micro/nanoplastics pollution poses a potential threat to soil health

This large meta-analysis of over 5,000 observations found that micro- and nanoplastics in soil harm crop growth, soil organisms, and microbial communities while increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that plastic pollution poses a broad threat to soil health, which could ultimately affect food production and human well-being.

Unveiling the impacts of microplastics on cadmium transfer in the soil-plant-human system: A review

A meta-analysis found that microplastics significantly increase soil cadmium bioavailability by 6.9% and cadmium accumulation in plant shoots by 9.3%, through both direct surface adsorption and indirect modification of soil pH and dissolved organic carbon. This enhanced cadmium mobility through the soil-plant-human food chain amplifies health risks, as co-ingestion of microplastics and cadmium increases cadmium bioaccessibility and tissue damage.

Polystyrene nanoplastics promote colitis-associated cancer by disrupting lipid metabolism and inducing DNA damage

In a mouse study, polystyrene nanoplastics accelerated the development of colon cancer linked to inflammatory bowel disease by disrupting fat metabolism and causing DNA damage in intestinal cells. The nanoplastics also altered gut bacteria and increased intestinal inflammation, suggesting that plastic particle exposure could worsen outcomes for people already at risk for colon cancer.

Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure induces cognitive impairment in mice via induction of oxidative stress and ERK/MAPK-mediated neuronal cuproptosis

This mouse study found that polystyrene nanoplastics caused cognitive impairment by triggering oxidative stress and activating a cell-death process called cuproptosis in brain neurons. The findings suggest that copper buildup and specific signaling pathways may be therapeutic targets for reducing brain damage from nanoplastic exposure, though these results still need to be confirmed in human-relevant models.

Highly Efficient, Recyclable Microplastic Adsorption Enabled by Chitin Hydrogen Bond Network Rearrangement

Scientists developed a foam made from chitin, a natural material found in seafood shells, that can absorb over 400 milligrams of nano-sized microplastics per gram of material, even in saltwater. This recyclable, sustainable approach could help clean microplastics from ocean water, and the recovered plastic can be converted into useful products.

Microplastic pollution promotes soil respiration: A global‐scale meta‐analysis

This global meta-analysis pooled data from multiple studies and found that microplastic pollution in soil increased CO2 emissions by 25%. Microplastics boost certain soil microbes while reducing overall microbial diversity, changing how carbon cycles through the environment. While focused on soil health, this research shows how widespread microplastic pollution is reshaping ecosystems in ways that could ultimately affect climate and agriculture.

Interaction of microplastics with heavy metals in soil: Mechanisms, influencing factors and biological effects

This review summarizes how microplastics and heavy metals interact in soil, where microplastics can absorb and carry toxic metals through the food chain and into the human body. Aging and weathering of microplastics changes their surface properties, making them better at picking up heavy metals, which raises concerns about combined exposure through contaminated crops and water.

The hidden threat: Unraveling the impact of microplastics on reproductive health

This review summarizes how microplastics disrupt the reproductive system in both males and females by interfering with hormone signaling, damaging the blood-testis barrier, impairing sperm production, and causing problems in the ovaries and uterus. The authors also note that microplastic exposure may affect offspring development, including their future reproductive capacity and metabolism.

Polystyrene microplastics induce liver fibrosis and lipid deposition in mice through three hub genes revealed by the RNA-seq

A mouse study revealed that long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes caused liver scarring (fibrosis) and abnormal fat buildup in the liver. Genetic analysis identified three key genes driving this damage, with smaller microplastics causing more severe effects, providing new insight into how microplastic exposure may contribute to chronic liver disease.

Potential mechanisms of aortic medial degeneration promoted by co-exposure to microplastics and lead

Researchers found that microplastics and lead were both present in tissue samples from patients with aortic disease, and in mice, combined exposure to both pollutants caused significant damage to the aorta -- the body's main artery. The co-exposure triggered a form of cell death in blood vessel muscle cells through oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. This suggests that microplastics may worsen the cardiovascular effects of heavy metals people are already exposed to.

Soil microplastics pollution in agriculture

Polystyrene microplastics induce male reproductive toxicity in mice by activating spermatogonium mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis

A mouse study found that polystyrene microplastics significantly reduced sperm count and motility while increasing sperm deformities. The damage was caused by oxidative stress in the energy-producing mitochondria of sperm-forming cells, which triggered cell death -- raising concerns about microplastics' potential impact on male fertility.

The microplastics exposure induce the kidney injury in mice revealed by RNA-seq

In a mouse study, microplastics of different sizes caused kidney injury including inflammation, oxidative stress, and scarring (fibrosis) after long-term exposure. The smallest particles (80 nanometers) altered immune-related genes, while larger particles disrupted genes tied to the body's internal clock. This research provides evidence that microplastics accumulating in the body over time could contribute to kidney disease in mammals, including humans.

Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure triggers spermatogenic cell senescence via the Sirt1/ROS axis

Male mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 60 days showed damaged sperm-producing cells that displayed signs of premature aging, linked to a specific molecular pathway involving the Sirt1 protein and oxidative stress. This study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic exposure may harm male reproductive health by accelerating the aging of cells responsible for sperm production.

Real-Time Quantification of Nanoplastics-Induced Oxidative Stress in Stretching Alveolar Cells

Scientists built a device that mimics the stretching motion of breathing lungs to study how inhaled nanoplastics cause oxidative stress in real time. They found that the cyclic stretching of breathing significantly increased how many nanoplastics lung cells absorbed, meaning that standard static lab tests may underestimate the real-world harm of inhaling these particles. This work suggests that the lungs' own mechanical motion makes them more vulnerable to nanoplastic damage.

Soil aggregation alterations under soil microplastic and biochar addition and aging process

An eight-month experiment found that polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics disrupted soil structure by breaking apart soil clumps, and this damage worsened as the plastics aged over time. Surprisingly, adding biochar, which is often proposed as a soil improvement, actually made some of the microplastic damage worse for certain soil aggregate sizes. This research shows that microplastic contamination in agricultural soil can degrade soil health in ways that may be difficult to reverse.

Heterogeneous impacts of and vulnerabilities to the COVID-19 pandemic

This study reviewed the uneven impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across different populations, finding that socioeconomic status, housing, and race influenced how severely people were affected. While not focused on microplastics, the research highlights how environmental health inequalities, including pollution exposure, compound health risks for vulnerable communities. The findings are relevant because disadvantaged groups often face higher exposure to environmental contaminants including microplastics.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Carbon Dots in the Field of Wastewater Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

This review covers carbon dots, a type of nanomaterial that can be used to detect and remove pollutants from wastewater, including heavy metals, dyes, and organic chemicals. Carbon dots can improve water filtration membranes and boost the effectiveness of biological treatment systems. While not directly about microplastics, these technologies could be adapted to help detect and filter microplastics from drinking water and wastewater.

Exposure to submicroplastics promotes the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in ApoE-deficient mice

Researchers found that exposing mice to submicron-sized polystyrene plastics in their drinking water for 12 weeks accelerated the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The tiny plastic particles accumulated in the liver, worsened fat buildup, increased inflammation, and disrupted cholesterol metabolism. This study suggests that people who already have risk factors for liver disease may be especially vulnerable to health effects from microplastic exposure.

Ferroptosis induced by environmental pollutants and its health implications

Researchers reviewed how environmental pollutants — including microplastics, PM2.5, and heavy metals — trigger ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death driven by iron and fat oxidation, finding that targeting this cell death pathway could be a strategy to reduce organ damage caused by pollution exposure.

A Systematic Review and Global Trends on Blue Carbon and Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Study from 2012 to 2023

This bibliometric review of blue carbon research from 2012 to 2023 found growing global interest in coastal carbon storage ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes for climate change mitigation. Despite their potential, blue carbon initiatives face significant challenges in contributing to Sustainable Development Goals, with only 15% of global targets met at the halfway point.

Top 10 public health challenges to track in 2023: Shifting focus beyond a global pandemic

This article identifies the top 10 global public health challenges for 2023, including climate change, infectious disease preparedness, and environmental pollution. Microplastic contamination is highlighted as part of the broader environmental health threat that demands coordinated international attention. The authors argue that shifting focus beyond pandemic response is essential to address the interconnected health challenges facing the world.

Nano polystyrene microplastics could accumulate in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Negatively impacts on the intestinal and liver health through water exposure

Researchers exposed Nile tilapia fish to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes (ranging from 80 nanometers to 80 micrometers) and found that the smallest particles were most likely to accumulate in the body. The 80-nanometer particles caused the most severe damage to intestinal and liver tissues, disrupting cell growth and triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. The study suggests that nanoscale plastic particles may pose greater health risks to fish than larger microplastics.

Activating Adsorption Sites of Waste Crayfish Shells via Chemical Decalcification for Efficient Capturing of Nanoplastics

Scientists developed a way to use waste crayfish shells to capture and remove nanoplastics from water. By removing the mineral components, they exposed natural binding sites on the shell material that can grab onto nanoplastic particles through multiple chemical interactions. This affordable, recyclable approach could offer a practical solution for filtering nanoplastics out of contaminated water, potentially reducing human exposure through drinking water.