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Papers
859 resultsDirect observation and identification of nanoplastics in ocean water
Researchers developed a new technique to directly see and identify nanoplastics (plastic particles smaller than a micrometer) in ocean water for the first time. They found nylon, polystyrene, and PET particles in samples from two oceans, appearing as tiny fibers, flakes, and other shapes made from plastics commonly used in everyday products.
Quantitation and identification of microplastics accumulation in human placental specimens using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry
Researchers analyzed 62 human placenta samples and found microplastics in every single one, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 685 micrograms per gram of tissue. Polyethylene, the most common plastic in everyday products, made up 54% of the plastics found. This widespread presence of microplastics in placentas raises concerns about fetal exposure during pregnancy and potential effects on development.
Assessing microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in bird lungs: evidence of ecological risks and bioindicator potential
Researchers examined the lungs of 51 bird species and found microplastics in all of them, averaging over 400 particles per gram of lung tissue, with nanoplastics also detected in five species tested. Birds may serve as early warning indicators of airborne plastic pollution, and the widespread contamination of their lungs suggests that humans breathing the same air face similar exposure risks.
Microcontaminants and microplastics in water from the textile sector: a review and a database of physicochemical properties, use in the textile process, and ecotoxicity data for detected chemicals
This review tracks microcontaminants and microplastics from textile manufacturing through wastewater treatment and into rivers, identifying over 500 chemical compounds released during the textile production process. Many of these chemicals are classified as contaminants of environmental concern, and microplastic fibers from textiles are among the most common types found in waterways.
Revealing new insights: Two-center evidence of microplastics in human vitreous humor and their implications for ocular health
In the first multi-center study of its kind, researchers detected microplastics inside the vitreous humor (the gel inside the eye) of 49 patients with various eye diseases, with most particles smaller than 50 micrometers. Higher microplastic levels were linked to concerning eye health measures like increased pressure inside the eye, and patients with retinopathy showed especially elevated levels.
Long-term application of organic fertilizer prompting the dispersal of antibiotic resistance genes and their health risks in the soil plastisphere
Scientists found that microplastics in farmland soil treated with organic fertilizer for over 30 years created a "plastisphere" that amplified the spread of antibiotic resistance genes by 1.5 times and increased the risk of these genes jumping between bacteria by 2.7 times. This is concerning for human health because antibiotic-resistant bacteria from agricultural soils can eventually reach people through food and water.
Occurrence of microplastics in edible tissues of livestock (cow and sheep)
Researchers found microplastics in the meat, liver, and stomach lining of both cows and sheep sold at butcher shops in Iran, with nylon being the most common plastic type detected. This study highlights that microplastics are transferring from the environment into livestock and could pose health risks to consumers, particularly children who eat meat.
Comprehensive study of the microplastic footprint in the urban pond and river of Eastern India
Scientists measured microplastic contamination in an urban river and pond in Eastern India and found concerning levels of 59-100 particles per liter in water and 167-193 particles per gram in sediment, with risk assessments showing crisis-level pollution. The dominant plastics found -- nylon and polyethylene -- come from everyday products, and the high contamination levels in these freshwater sources pose risks to the communities that depend on them.
Investigation of microplastic pollution index in the urban surface water: A case study in west Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Researchers found microplastics in surface water and water treatment plants in the West Godavari region of India, with common types including polypropylene and PVC. Risk assessments showed that the type of plastic polymer poses a greater health risk than the amount of microplastics present. The study estimated daily, annual, and lifetime intake levels for people using these water sources.
Atmospheric microplastics deposition in a central Indian city: Distribution, characteristics and seasonal variations
Researchers measured airborne microplastic fallout in the Indian city of Nagpur and found 213 to 543 particles per square meter per day raining down from the sky, mostly tiny fibers from textiles. Children's estimated inhalation exposure was nearly double that of adults relative to body weight, raising particular health concerns about microplastic exposure through the air we breathe.
Low-cost portable microplastic detection system integrating nile red fluorescence staining with YOLOv8-based deep learning
Researchers built a portable, low-cost microplastic detector that uses fluorescent dye and artificial intelligence to identify six types of plastic particles in just 19 seconds at a cost of only $0.10 per test. This affordable technology could make it much easier for communities and researchers to monitor microplastic contamination in water and the environment, which is essential for understanding human exposure levels.
Interactions between perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs): Findings from an extensive investigation
This study tested how PFAS ("forever chemicals") interact with 18 different types of microplastic and found that polyamide (nylon) plastics absorbed up to 100% of the PFAS in solution. Since both PFAS and microplastics are widespread environmental pollutants, their ability to bind together means microplastics may act as carriers that concentrate and transport these harmful chemicals into water, soil, and ultimately the human body.
Machine learning driven methodology for enhanced nylon microplastic detection and characterization
Researchers combined machine learning with advanced infrared spectroscopy to create a more reliable and standardized way to detect nylon microplastics. When applied to commercial nylon teabags, they found an average of 106 microplastic particles released per bag. This kind of standardized detection method is important because inconsistent measurement techniques have made it difficult to compare microplastic studies and accurately assess human exposure levels.
Spatial distribution of microplastic concentration around landfill sites and its potential risk on groundwater
Researchers found microplastic contamination in groundwater near two municipal waste dump sites in South India, with levels ranging from 2 to 80 particles per liter. Nylon was the most common type found, making up 70% of particles, and the contamination was traced back to degrading buried plastic waste. This is concerning because many communities rely on groundwater for drinking, and these findings show landfills can be a direct source of microplastics in drinking water.
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.
Human occupational exposure to microplastics: A cross-sectional study in a plastic products manufacturing plant
Researchers measured microplastic exposure in 19 workers at a plastic products factory in Iran by sampling their skin, hair, and saliva before and after work shifts. They found 4,802 microplastic particles across all samples, with hair collecting the most and saliva the least. The study shows that people working directly with plastics face significantly higher microplastic exposure, and that protective equipment like gloves and masks can help reduce it.
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.
In vitro digestion of microplastics in human digestive system: Insights into particle morphological changes and chemical leaching
Researchers simulated human digestion on four common types of microplastics and found that stomach acid and digestive enzymes changed the particles' shape, surface texture, and caused them to release chemical additives. The study shows that microplastics are not inert once swallowed -- they are actively transformed in the gut, which could increase their ability to interact with intestinal tissues and release potentially harmful chemicals.
Human inhalation exposure assessment of the airborne microplastics from indoor deposited dusts during winter in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Researchers analyzed indoor dust from 15 homes in Dhaka, Bangladesh and found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations suggesting that people inhale thousands of microplastic particles daily during winter when ventilation is reduced. The most common types were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester from household items, and estimated daily inhalation exposure was highest for children relative to their body weight.
Valorization of textile waste: non-woven structures and composites
This review explores how textile waste -- millions of tons discarded annually -- contributes to pollution in air, water, and soil, even when disposed of in landfills. The paper discusses ways to repurpose waste textiles from materials like polyester and nylon into useful products for construction, insulation, and agriculture. This is relevant to microplastic concerns because synthetic textiles are one of the largest sources of microfiber pollution, and finding ways to recycle them reduces the microplastics released into the environment.
Teabag-derived micro/nanoplastics (true-to-life MNPLs) as a surrogate for real-life exposure scenarios
Researchers found that steeping commercial teabags released billions of nanoplastic particles into the tea, made from nylon, polypropylene, or cellulose materials. When human intestinal cells were exposed to these particles, the cells absorbed them -- especially the polypropylene and cellulose types -- raising concerns about everyday plastic ingestion through a common beverage.
Reducing microplastics in tea infusions released from filter bags by pre-washing method: Quantitative evidences based on Raman imaging and Py-GC/MS
Researchers measured the microplastics released from tea filter bags during brewing and found up to 1,288 micron-sized particles per bag. However, a simple fix -- washing the tea bag three times with room temperature water before brewing -- removed 76-94% of the microplastics. This practical finding gives tea drinkers an easy way to significantly reduce their microplastic intake from a common daily exposure source.
Inhalable Textile Microplastic Fibers Impair Airway Epithelial Differentiation
Researchers exposed lung cells and mice to textile microplastic fibers (nylon and polyester) and found that nylon fibers significantly impaired airway cell growth and development. The damage came from chemicals leaching out of the nylon rather than the physical fibers themselves, and the effects persisted even after exposure ended. This is relevant because textile fibers are one of the most common types of microplastics people inhale daily.
Plastics and the microbiome: impacts and solutions
This review examines how plastics affect microbial communities in the environment and in living organisms, including the human gut. Microplastics can carry harmful bacteria, disrupt natural microbial balance, and affect immune responses in host organisms. While some microbes have been reported to degrade plastics, the evidence for breaking down common types like polypropylene, polystyrene, and PVC remains weak, meaning we cannot rely on natural biodegradation to solve the pollution problem.