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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Exploring the release of microplastics' additives in the human digestive environment by an in vitro dialysis approach using simulated fluids
ClearMimicking human ingestion of microplastics: Oral bioaccessibility tests of bisphenol A and phthalate esters under fed and fasted states
Researchers simulated human digestion to measure how much bisphenol A and phthalate esters leach from polyethylene and PVC microplastics under fasting and fed conditions. They found that polar additives like dimethyl phthalate and BPA had the highest bioaccessibility, ranging from 37% to 92%, with greater release from the more flexible LDPE polymer. The study suggests that chemical additives in ingested microplastics can become bioaccessible during human digestion, with release rates depending on the plastic type and additive properties.
An automatic flow-through system for exploration of the human bioaccessibility of endocrine disrupting compounds from microplastics
An automated flow-through system was developed to investigate the bioaccessibility of plastic-borne contaminants in the human gastrointestinal tract using physiologically relevant body fluids. The system measured leaching rates of plastic additives under fasted and fed state conditions, providing the first mechanistic data on how ingested microplastics release chemical contaminants in the human gut.
How Digestive Processes Can Affect the Bioavailability of PCBs Associated with Microplastics: A Modeling Study Supported by Empirical Data
Researchers used a simulated human digestive model to study whether gut processes change how quickly chemicals like PCBs transfer on and off microplastic particles. They found that digestive enzymes and bile salts significantly accelerated the release of these chemicals from microplastics, suggesting that the human gut environment may increase exposure to plastic-associated pollutants. The study provides new evidence that microplastics could act as carriers that release harmful chemicals more readily during digestion.
Release of additives and non-intentionally added substances from microplastics under environmentally relevant conditions
Researchers measured how chemical additives leach out of different types of microplastics under realistic environmental conditions and found wildly different release rates — spanning five orders of magnitude over 64 days — highlighting that the type of plastic matters greatly when assessing the chemical risks microplastics pose to ecosystems.
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.
Bioaccessibility of microplastic-associated heavy metals using an in vitro digestion model and its implications for human health risk assessment
Researchers evaluated the bioaccessibility of heavy metals associated with microplastics using an in vitro digestion model to assess human health risks. The study found significant adsorption of arsenic, chromium, cadmium, and lead onto polyvinyl chloride microplastics, with varying bioaccessibility across different digestive phases. The findings suggest that incorporating bioaccessibility data into risk assessments may provide more accurate estimates of health risks from ingesting microplastic-associated heavy metals.
Processes influencing the toxicity of microplastics ingested through the diet
This study investigated what happens to chemical additives in microplastics when the plastics go through cooking and human digestion. Researchers found that both culinary processes and gastrointestinal conditions caused plastics to release potentially harmful chemicals, including phthalates and bisphenol A, suggesting that microplastics in food may be a meaningful route for chemical exposure in people.
Exposure to microplastic associated chemicals upon oral consumption of microplastics
This thesis quantified the release of plastic-associated chemical contaminants from microplastics during simulated human digestion, measuring how much of these chemicals actually leach out under stomach and intestinal conditions. The research helps estimate the chemical exposure humans receive when they ingest microplastics through food and water.
Measuring the Effect of Dietary Microplastic on Biomagnification Potential of Environmental Contaminants and Plastic Additives
Researchers measured the effect of dietary microplastic ingestion on the biomagnification potential of hydrophobic organic contaminants and plastic additives in the gastrointestinal tract, testing competing hypotheses about whether microplastics increase, decrease, or negligibly affect contaminant uptake.
Desorption of bisphenol A from microplastics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions
Researchers investigated bisphenol A desorption from three types of microplastics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, finding that ingested microplastics can release adsorbed BPA during digestion, posing potential health risks.
Human health risk assessment of metals from bio-based microplastics using a bioavailability gastrointestinal digestion model
This study used an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model to assess human bioavailability of 12 metals—including cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic—from bio-based plastic microplastics made of PLA and polyhydroxybutyrate. Several metals showed significant bioaccessibility under simulated digestive conditions, indicating that bio-based plastics are not necessarily safer than conventional plastics with respect to metal leaching.
Bioaccessibility of Trace Metals and Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Microplastic
Researchers measured the bioaccessibility of trace metals and rare earth elements adsorbed onto beach microplastics using simulated digestive fluid conditions. Metals were released from microplastic surfaces under stomach acid conditions, indicating that plastic ingestion can deliver these contaminants to digestive systems of marine organisms and humans.
Plastic additives and microplastics as emerging contaminants: Mechanisms and analytical assessment
Researchers reviewed how chemical additives mixed into plastics during manufacturing — including stabilizers, flame retardants, and plasticizers — can leach out throughout a plastic's lifecycle and pose risks to ecosystems and human health, with microplastics acting as carriers that concentrate and transport these hazardous chemicals.
Digestion of plastics using in vitro human gastrointestinal tract and their potential to adsorb emerging organic pollutants
Researchers simulated human digestion of polystyrene and polyethylene plastics and found that digestive processes fundamentally altered plastic surfaces, creating new functional groups and generating micro- and nanostructures that can detach. The study suggests that digested plastics have enhanced capacity to adsorb certain pollutants like triclosan and diclofenac, potentially increasing health risks from ingested plastic.
Assessment of the potential human health risk derived from metals associated to microplastics from recycled and biopolymer-based plastics
Researchers assessed the human health risk from metals associated with microplastics derived from recycled PET and polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers using oral bioaccessibility testing, finding that intrinsic metal content increased with recycling cycles and that both materials adsorbed metals from the environment, with bioaccessible metal fractions posing potential health risks.
Release and intestinal translocation of chemicals associated with microplastics in an in vitro human gastrointestinal digestion model
Researchers used a lab model of human digestion to test how many toxic chemicals leach out of microplastics collected from beach litter and food packaging, identifying 68 chemicals and 29 metals — some of which crossed a simulated intestinal wall. The findings highlight that microplastics are not just physical particles but chemical carriers that can deliver a complex mixture of harmful substances into the human body.
Biodegradable microplastics (BMPs): a new cause for concern?
This review examined whether biodegradable microplastics present new environmental hazards, finding that many biodegradable polymers degrade slowly under real environmental conditions and can release toxic additives, and that the assumption of biodegradability does not eliminate microplastic pollution risks unless composting conditions are actively managed.
Differential Effects of the Human Digestive Process on Petroleum- and Bio-Based Microplastics Following an In Vitro Approach to Determine Polymer Integrity and Seafood Digestibility
Researchers used an in vitro human digestion model to assess how PET and PLA microplastics affect the digestibility of three seafood species, finding that both plastic types partially resisted gastrointestinal degradation and that they differentially altered nutrient absorption from the seafood.
Leaching of microplastic-associated additives in aquatic environments: A critical review
This review examined how microplastic-associated chemical additives leach into aquatic environments, summarizing recent advances in understanding release kinetics, phase equilibrium between microplastics and water, and the environmental and health risks posed by organic additives and heavy metals.
Microplastics in our diet: complementary in vitro gut and epithelium models to understand their fate in the human digestive tract.
Researchers used complementary in vitro gut models to study how microplastics behave during human digestion, finding that digestive conditions alter microplastic surface properties and their interactions with gut cells. The work advances understanding of how ingested microplastics may affect the human digestive system.