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518 resultsMicroplastics in our diet: A growing concern for human health
Microplastics smaller than 5 millimeters are entering our food through drinking water, salt, seafood, packaged food, and even alcoholic beverages. Once consumed, these particles have been detected in human blood, feces, breast milk, liver, and other tissues, showing they can accumulate throughout the body. Emerging evidence links microplastic exposure to inflammation, oxidative stress, gut problems, brain effects, reproductive harm, and cardiovascular risks.
A systematic review of the effects of nanoplastics on fish
This systematic review examines how nanoplastics (extremely small plastic particles) affect fish, including their ability to cross biological barriers and accumulate in tissues. The findings are relevant to human health because fish are a major dietary protein source, and understanding how plastics move through aquatic food chains helps us assess our own exposure risks.
Micro(nano)plastics in human urine: A surprising contrast between Chongqing's urban and rural regions
Scientists detected micro- and nanoplastics in human urine samples from both urban and rural areas in China, with city dwellers showing higher levels and more types of plastic particles. The findings suggest that everyday habits like using plastic toys and personal care products contribute to the plastics found inside our bodies, and that people in urban environments face greater exposure.
Quantifying microplastic dispersion due to density effects
This laboratory study measured how different types of microplastics move through water based on their density, finding that denser plastics settle to the bottom in slow-moving water while lighter ones travel like dissolved particles. Understanding how microplastics spread in rivers is important because it helps predict where plastic contamination will accumulate and which water sources face the greatest risk of exposure.
Microplastic removal and environmental emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plants
This study measured microplastic levels in wastewater entering and leaving five treatment plants using different technologies, finding that while plants remove a large portion of microplastics, they still release significant amounts into the environment through treated water. Since wastewater effluent flows into rivers and oceans that supply drinking water and food sources, this ongoing release is a concern for human exposure.
Joint physicochemical effects of UV-B irradiation on microplastics formation: The case of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(methyl methacrylate)
Researchers studied how UV-B sunlight breaks down PVC and acrylic (PMMA) plastics over two months, tracking the chemical and structural changes that lead to microplastic formation. Understanding how different plastics fragment under sunlight helps predict which types of plastic pollution pose the greatest risk as they degrade into smaller particles in the environment.
Characterization of microplastics in human follicular fluid and assessment of their potential impact on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro
Scientists found microplastics in human follicular fluid, the liquid surrounding eggs in the ovaries, after analyzing samples from 19 women. When they tested how these particles affect egg development in mice, they found that certain types of microplastics reduced the ability of eggs to mature properly, raising concerns about potential effects on fertility.
Extracellular polymers substances towards the toxicity effect of Microcystis flos-aquae under subjected to nanoplastic stress
Researchers studied how nanoplastics affect a common freshwater algae and found that the algae produce protective substances in response, but the plastic particles still significantly inhibited growth and disrupted photosynthesis. This matters because harmful algal blooms and water quality are affected by nanoplastic pollution, with downstream consequences for drinking water safety and aquatic food sources.
Flowthrough Capture of Microplastics through Polyphenol‐Mediated Interfacial Interactions on Wood Sawdust
Researchers created a plant-based water filter using wood sawdust coated with polyphenols (natural plant compounds) that captures over 99.9% of nano- and microplastics from water in a single pass. The filter works on many types and sizes of plastics and can be cleaned and reused multiple times. This bio-based approach could offer a practical, low-cost solution for removing plastic contamination from drinking water.
Assessment of microplastic contamination in shrimps from the Bay of Bengal and associated human health risk
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in seven shrimp species from the Bay of Bengal and found plastic particles in every species tested, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The study calculated that women in Bangladesh face a higher health risk than men from eating contaminated shrimp, highlighting how seafood can be a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in human diets.
Quantitative Determination of Poly(methyl Methacrylate) Micro/Nanoplastics by Cooling-Assisted Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry: Theoretical and Experimental Insights
Scientists developed a new, simplified method to detect and measure tiny plastic particles (micro and nanoplastics) made of PMMA (commonly known as acrylic or plexiglass) in water and soil. The technique uses a single step that both breaks down the plastic and captures the signature chemicals for analysis, achieving detection limits as low as 0.01 micrograms per liter. Better measurement tools like this are essential for understanding how much microplastic contamination exists in our environment and assessing its potential impact on health.
Conversion of PET Bottle Waste into a Terephthalic Acid-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Removing Plastic Nanoparticles from Water
Researchers found a way to turn waste PET plastic bottles into a special material (metal-organic framework) that can remove nanoplastic particles from water with up to 97% efficiency. This approach solves two problems at once: it recycles plastic bottle waste and uses the resulting material to clean plastic nanoparticles from contaminated water. The technology offers a promising circular solution for addressing both plastic waste and nanoplastic water pollution.
An evaluation of a hepatotoxicity risk induced by the microplastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using HepG2/THP-1 co-culture model
Researchers tested the liver toxicity of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microplastics using a lab model combining human liver and immune cells. The microplastics triggered inflammation and oxidative stress at concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/mL, activating pathways linked to cell death and chronic disease. Since the liver is a primary organ where microplastics accumulate after entering the body, these findings suggest that long-term microplastic exposure could contribute to liver damage and inflammation-driven diseases.
Increased risk of heavy metal accumulation in mangrove seedlings in coastal wetland environments due to microplastic inflow
When mangrove seedlings were grown in coastal sediments contaminated with polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics, they accumulated significantly more heavy metals -- up to 548% more -- particularly in their roots. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress in the plants and altered how heavy metals moved through the soil. This is concerning because mangrove ecosystems are nurseries for many seafood species, and increased heavy metal uptake could enter coastal food webs.
Immune and inflammatory responses of human macrophages, dendritic cells, and T-cells in presence of micro- and nanoplastic of different types and sizes
Scientists tested how different types and sizes of micro- and nanoplastics affect key human immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and T-cells. Smaller particles and those with amino surface modifications triggered the strongest immune responses, including increased inflammation markers and changes in immune cell activation. These findings suggest that inhaled or ingested micro- and nanoplastics could disrupt the human immune system, potentially contributing to chronic inflammation.
Oysters and mussels as equivalent sentinels of microplastics and natural particles in coastal environments
Researchers compared how oysters and mussels accumulate microplastics in a polluted Brazilian estuary and found both species performed equally well as biological monitors of contamination. Some of the highest microplastic levels ever recorded in shellfish were found at the most polluted sites. Since oysters and mussels are widely consumed as seafood, these contamination levels raise direct concerns about human microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption.
Ranking of potential hazards from microplastics polymers in the marine environment
Researchers developed a model to rank which types of microplastic polymers pose the greatest health risk from marine exposure pathways, based on their chemical toxicity when broken down and their particle size. Polyurethane, PVC, and polyacrylonitrile ranked as the most hazardous, while the toxicity of the broken-down chemical components was the single biggest factor in determining risk. This ranking system could help policymakers prioritize which plastic types to regulate first to protect human health.
Environmental nanoplastics quantification by pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the Pearl River, China: First insights into spatiotemporal distributions, compositions, sources and risks
Researchers measured nanoplastics -- plastic particles smaller than a micrometer -- in China's Pearl River and found them at every sampling site, with polystyrene detected 100% of the time. Areas near aquaculture and shipping had the highest levels, and the study estimates that people living nearby could face health risks from drinking and touching contaminated water.
Meta-analysis for systematic review of global micro/nano-plastics contamination versus various freshwater microalgae: Toxicological effect patterns, taxon-specific response, and potential eco-risks
A meta-analysis of 1,071 observations found that nanoplastics cause more severe cell membrane damage than microplastics, while microplastics more strongly inhibit photosynthesis in freshwater microalgae. Among polymer types, polyamide caused the highest growth inhibition, polystyrene induced the most toxin release, and diatoms were the most sensitive algal group while cyanobacteria showed exceptional resilience.
Type-dependent effects of nanoplastics on microglial activation and CXCR2-mediated chemotactic migration
Researchers compared how nanoplastics made from three different plastic types affect brain immune cells called microglia. They found that PMMA (acrylic) nanoplastics caused the strongest inflammatory response and increased the migration of immune cells, which could worsen neurological damage. This matters because most microplastic studies only test polystyrene, but real-world plastic pollution includes many plastic types that may have different effects on brain health.
Microplastic contamination and biological alterations in Atlantic wild fish populations, and human health risks associated to fillet consumption
Researchers found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts, gills, liver, brain, and muscle tissue of wild Atlantic pouting and hake fish, and the contamination was linked to measurable biological changes in the fish. The study also estimated human health risks from eating these fish fillets, developing a new index that combines microplastic intake levels with the hazard level of the specific plastic types found. This work provides a direct link between microplastic pollution in wild fish and potential risks to people who eat seafood regularly.
Cytotoxicity and Endocrine Disruption in Materials Used for Removable Orthodontic Retainers: A Comprehensive Review
This review evaluated the safety of materials used in removable orthodontic retainers, including traditional plastics, 3D-printed resins, and newer composites. While most materials were found to be generally safe in the short term, some released bisphenol-type chemicals (known hormone disruptors), and long-term endocrine effects have not been adequately studied. The review also notes that single-use thermoplastic retainers contribute to microplastic pollution, raising environmental sustainability concerns.
Systematic Comparison of Commercial Uranyl‐Alternative Stains for Negative‐ and Positive‐Staining Transmission Electron Microscopy of Organic Specimens
This study compared commercial alternatives to uranyl acetate, a toxic and radioactive staining agent used in electron microscopy. While not directly about microplastics, electron microscopy is one of the key tools researchers use to visualize and identify nanoplastics in biological tissues and environmental samples. Safer staining alternatives could make nanoplastic research more accessible and reduce hazardous waste in laboratories studying plastic contamination.
Unraveling the impact of micro- and nano-sized polymethyl methacrylate on gut microbiota and liver lipid metabolism: Insights from oral exposure studies
Mice that drank water containing tiny acrylic-type plastic particles (PMMA) for eight weeks developed liver damage, gut microbiome changes, and disrupted fat metabolism. The plastic particles accumulated in the liver and colon, triggering oxidative stress and activating pathways that increased cholesterol production. This study suggests that chronic exposure to even common plastic types through drinking water could harm liver health by disrupting the gut-liver connection.