We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
231 resultsMicroplastic and PTFE contamination of food from cookware
Researchers tested whether plastic cookware releases microplastics into food during everyday cooking steps like heating, mixing, and storage, and found that both new and old plastic cookware introduced thousands of plastic particles per year into home-cooked meals. Non-plastic cookware did not add any microplastics, suggesting that switching to non-plastic pots and utensils could meaningfully reduce dietary microplastic intake.
Microplastics in human urine: Characterisation using μFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants
Researchers analyzed urine samples from healthy individuals and endometriosis patients, detecting microplastics in the majority of both groups, with 22 different polymer types found. While microplastic levels were not significantly different between the two groups, the finding that plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PTFE are being excreted in human urine confirms that these particles are circulating through the body.
Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction: a multi-site study in China
In a study of 113 men across three regions in China, microplastics were detected in all semen and urine samples tested, with eight different plastic types identified. The presence of certain microplastics, particularly PTFE (Teflon), was associated with reduced sperm quality, suggesting that microplastic exposure may pose risks to male fertility.
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.
Polytetrafluoroethylene microplastic properties, pollution, toxicity and analysis: a review
This review found that cooking with Teflon-coated (PTFE) pans releases thousands to millions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles per use, directly contaminating food. PTFE microplastics have been found in human tissue, wildlife, water, and air. Given how widely non-stick cookware is used in homes, this is one of the most direct and everyday sources of microplastic exposure for most people.
Cross-platform detection of microplastics in human biological tissues: Comparing spectroscopic and chromatographic approaches
Scientists compared two different analytical methods for detecting microplastics in human urine and uterine tissue samples from pregnant women and found that using both methods together reveals a more complete picture than either alone. The study detected multiple types of plastic particles in biological samples, confirming that microplastics accumulate in human reproductive tissues.
Raman-guided exploration of placental microplastic exposure: Unraveling the polymeric tapestry and assessing developmental implications
Scientists examined placentas from 50 women after delivery and found microplastics in 62% of them, with seven different plastic types identified including Teflon (PTFE), polystyrene, and ABS. While the particles did not appear to affect birth weight, length, or gestational age in this study, their widespread presence in placental tissue confirms that plastic pollution reaches developing babies before birth. More research is needed to understand potential long-term effects.
Association between microplastics in human amniotic fluid and pregnancy outcomes: Detection and characterization using Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis GC/MS
Using two different detection methods, researchers confirmed the presence of microplastics in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, finding six types of plastic particles including Teflon, polystyrene, and ABS. While no immediate link to pregnancy complications was found in this study, the confirmed presence of plastics in the fluid surrounding developing babies highlights the need for larger long-term studies.
Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study
In this pilot study, researchers detected microplastics in human vein tissue for the first time, finding an average of about 15 particles per gram in saphenous vein samples from surgical patients. Five different types of plastic polymers were identified, with alkyd resin being the most common. While the sample size was small, the study adds to growing evidence that microplastics are accumulating in human cardiovascular tissue, not just in the blood.
Microplastics comparison of indoor and outdoor air and ventilation rate effect in outskirts of the Seoul metropolitan city
Researchers measured airborne microplastics both indoors and outdoors in buildings near Seoul, finding that indoor concentrations were 1.8 times higher than outdoor levels. Polyester fibers from clothing and furnishings were the most common type, and lower ventilation rates led to higher indoor microplastic levels, meaning the air people breathe at home and work may be a significant source of microplastic exposure.
Development of a multi-spectroscopy method coupling μ-FTIR and μ-Raman analysis for one-stop detection of microplastics in environmental and biological samples
Scientists developed a new method that combines two types of microscopic analysis (infrared and Raman spectroscopy) on a single sample to detect microplastics more accurately and efficiently. By using barium fluoride as a substrate instead of standard filter membranes, they could identify microplastics as small as 10 micrometers in environmental and biological samples. Better detection methods like this are crucial for understanding how much microplastic contamination exists in our environment and food.
Accumulation of microplastic in edible marine species from North Kerala, India
Researchers found microplastics in the edible tissues of three popular seafood species (clams, shrimp, and anchovies) from fish markets in Kerala, India. Fibers and fragments were the most common shapes, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the dominant plastic types. Since these species are consumed whole or with minimal processing, the study highlights a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by people who eat locally caught seafood.
Therapeutic Repair of Sperm Quality Decline Caused by Polytetrafluoroethylene
Researchers found that PTFE (Teflon), a type of microplastic commonly used in non-stick cookware, was detected in nearly half of human male reproductive tissue samples and accumulated in the urogenital system. In mice, PTFE exposure damaged sperm development, disrupted DNA repair, and reduced fertility. The study also identified a potential treatment target, offering hope that some of this reproductive damage could be reversed.
Establishment and application of standard analysis methods for microplastic samples: Urban sewage and sewage sludge as a source of microplastics in the environment
Researchers developed a standardized method for measuring microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and found that treated wastewater still releases an estimated 14.2 billion microplastic particles per day into the environment. While treatment plants remove most microplastics from the water, many end up concentrated in sewage sludge, which is often spread on farmland. The findings highlight that wastewater treatment is a major pathway for microplastics to reach rivers and agricultural soil.
Vertical distribution and multi-source pathways of microplastics in agricultural soils: A study of typical irrigation areas in the upper Yellow River basin
Researchers found that farmland soil in the upper Yellow River region contained significantly more microplastics than nearby forest or grassland, with plastics detected in all soil layers down to one meter deep. Flood-style irrigation pushed microplastics much deeper into the ground than drip irrigation, doubling contamination levels. This is concerning because microplastics migrating deep into agricultural soil could eventually reach groundwater that people depend on for drinking water.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyls used as cosmetic ingredients - Qualitative study of 765 cosmetic products
A study of 765 cosmetic products found 11 different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, used as ingredients, with PTFE and perfluorodecalin being the most common. Makeup products were the most likely to contain these chemicals, which can potentially enter the body through the skin. While focused on PFAS rather than microplastics, both are persistent synthetic pollutants found in consumer products, and PTFE (Teflon) is itself a type of microplastic when present as fine particles.
Characterization of microplastics in outdoor and indoor air in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India: First insights from the region
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in both outdoor and indoor air in Ranchi, India, finding plastic particles in all samples with higher concentrations during winter months. Indoor air contained different plastic types than outdoor air, with polyvinyl chloride dominant indoors while polyethylene and polypropylene were more common outside. The study confirms that people are breathing in microplastics throughout the day, whether at home or outside.
Microplastics in heavy metal-contaminated soil drives bacterial community and metabolic changes
Researchers found that adding common microplastics to soil already contaminated with heavy metals significantly changed the bacterial communities and their metabolic processes. The microplastics increased competition among bacteria and shifted how they process energy, while Proteobacteria became more abundant as a stress response. This matters because when microplastics and heavy metals combine in agricultural soil, they may disrupt the microbial ecosystems that keep soil healthy for growing food.
Predictive metabolomic signatures for safety assessment of three plastic nanoparticles using intestinal organoids
Scientists used lab-grown miniature intestines (organoids) from mice to study how three types of nanoplastics affect gut cells. All three plastic types reduced energy production in cells, caused oxidative stress, and disrupted important cell-signaling pathways. The study found that metabolic profiling could detect subtle damage from nanoplastics even before obvious cell harm appeared, offering a sensitive new way to assess the gut health risks of plastic particle exposure.
Polytetrafluorethylene microplastic particles mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and intracellular signaling pathway alteration in human derived cell lines
Scientists tested PTFE (Teflon) microplastics on six types of human cells and found they caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted cell signaling pathways in most cell types. Smaller PTFE particles generally caused more damage than larger ones, and lung and intestinal cells were particularly affected. Since PTFE is widely used in nonstick cookware and other household products, these findings raise questions about health risks from Teflon-derived microplastic exposure.
Airborne microplastic contamination across diverse university indoor environments: A comprehensive ambient analysis
Researchers measured airborne microplastics across different indoor spaces at a university and found that people in those buildings inhale an estimated 180 to 240 microplastic particles daily. The most common types found were nylon, PTFE, polypropylene, and polyethylene, with fragments showing rough edges from wear and tear. This study highlights that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people who spend most of their time indoors.
Unveiling the invisible: first discovery of micro- and nanoplastic size segregation in indoor commercial markets using a cascade impactor
Scientists used a specialized air sampling device in indoor commercial markets to measure airborne micro and nanoplastics sorted by size, the first study of its kind. They found plastic particles of all sizes floating in the air, including nanoplastics smaller than 0.25 micrometers that can penetrate deep into the lungs. This study is significant because it reveals that people shopping in indoor markets are breathing in tiny plastic particles that could affect respiratory and overall health.
How can contamination be prevented during laboratory analysis of atmospheric samples for microplastics?
This study tested various laboratory practices to reduce contamination when measuring microplastics in air samples, finding that working under laminar flow reduced background contamination compared to fume hoods or open lab environments. Pre-treating filters by heating them to 450 degrees Celsius cut microplastic counts by 50%, and pre-filtering solutions was essential since working liquids themselves were contaminated. These quality control findings are critical because without proper contamination prevention, studies on airborne microplastics may significantly overcount or misidentify particles.
Effect of ultraviolet aged polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics on copper bioavailability and Microcystis aeruginosa growth
This study found that polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, the material in Teflon) microplastics increased the availability of toxic copper to algae in water, promoting harmful algal blooms. Interestingly, UV aging of the microplastics reduced some of their toxic effects on algae. The research highlights how microplastics can change the behavior of other pollutants in water, potentially worsening environmental contamination that ultimately affects human water sources.