Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Do They Matter to Aquatic Ecosystems?

This review examines PFAS, the persistent 'forever chemicals' widely used in consumer products, and their growing threat to aquatic ecosystems. Evidence indicates that PFAS accumulate in aquatic organisms, disrupt hormones, and can alter how other pollutants behave in the environment. The research is relevant to microplastic concerns because PFAS are commonly found in plastic products and can leach from microplastics into water.

2023 Toxics 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Obesogens: How They Are Identified and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Their Action

Researchers reviewed the science behind obesogens, a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that promote fat storage and metabolic dysfunction. These compounds act through multiple pathways including disrupting adipose tissue function, altering gut microbiome composition, and interfering with hormonal signaling, with effects that can persist across generations. The review highlights the need for improved chemical screening methods to identify obesogenic substances and protect public health.

2021 Frontiers in Endocrinology 57 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) on the marine environment: Raising awareness, challenges, legislation, and mitigation approaches under the One Health concept

This review examines how PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), often called 'forever chemicals,' are contaminating marine environments and interacting with other pollutants including microplastics. PFAS accumulate in marine food chains and can combine with microplastics to amplify toxic effects on ocean wildlife and ultimately human health through seafood consumption. The authors call for stronger regulations and cleanup strategies under a One Health approach that connects ocean, animal, and human well-being.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 76 citations
Article Tier 2

The unheeded inherent connections and overlap between microplastics and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances: A comprehensive review

This review reveals the overlooked connection between microplastics and PFAS (forever chemicals), showing that these two widespread pollutants often come from the same products and interact in the environment. Microplastics can absorb PFAS onto their surfaces and transport them through water systems, potentially increasing exposure for aquatic organisms and humans. Understanding this overlap is important because the combined effects may be more harmful than either pollutant alone.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 45 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

This review examines how humans are exposed to microplastics through air, dust, water, food, and even baby bottles, with estimated intake ranging from tens of thousands to millions of particles per year. Emerging evidence suggests that microplastics may act as obesogens, meaning they could disrupt fat metabolism and hormonal systems through chemical additives like phthalates and bisphenols. The review raises particular concern about infant exposure, as babies may face higher levels of microplastics from plastic feeding bottles and medical devices.

2021 Frontiers in Endocrinology 511 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as carriers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environment: interactions and ecotoxicological effects

Researchers reviewed how microplastics serve as carriers for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes called forever chemicals, in aquatic environments. The study found that PFAS can attach to microplastic surfaces and accumulate in organisms through the food chain, potentially amplifying the toxic effects of both pollutants. The findings suggest that the combined presence of microplastics and PFAS poses a greater environmental and health risk than either pollutant alone.

2023 Water Emerging Contaminants & Nanoplastics 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Research Progress in Current and Emerging Issues of PFASs’ Global Impact: Long-Term Health Effects and Governance of Food Systems

This review covers per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called "forever chemicals," which are found in food, cosmetics, drinking water, and are linked to microplastic contamination. Decades of corporate delay and mismanagement have led to widespread human exposure with potential long-term health effects being studied across the globe. The authors examine PFAS levels in food and water from multiple countries and call for stronger regulations to protect public health.

2025 Foods 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances concentrations are associated with an unfavorable cardio-metabolic risk profile: findings from two population-based cohort studies

Not relevant to microplastics — this epidemiological study from two European cohorts finds that blood levels of PFAS chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS) are associated with an unfavorable lipid profile, with stronger effects in younger individuals, supporting calls for tighter PFAS regulation.

2023
Article Tier 2

Why Aim Toward a PFAS-free Future?

This paper is not about microplastics — it reviews the environmental persistence, toxicity, and regulatory challenges associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called 'forever chemicals,' and argues for transitioning industry toward safer substitutes using green chemistry principles.

2023 1 citations
Review Tier 2

Interaction of microplastics with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water: A review of the fate, mechanisms and toxicity

This review examines how microplastics act as carriers for PFAS ("forever chemicals") in water, with the two pollutants interacting through various chemical mechanisms that affect their movement through the environment. The combined presence of microplastics and PFAS raises concerns about increased toxicity, since microplastics can transport these persistent chemicals into organisms and potentially concentrate their harmful effects.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 50 citations
Article Tier 2

Firefighters’ exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as an occupational hazard: A review

This review examines how firefighters face elevated cancer risk from occupational exposure to PFAS, a class of toxic "forever chemicals" found in their protective gear, firefighting foam, and fire station dust. While focused on PFAS rather than microplastics directly, the research is relevant because both PFAS and microplastics are persistent environmental pollutants that accumulate in the body. PFAS are also commonly found attached to microplastic surfaces, making microplastics a potential carrier of these carcinogenic chemicals.

2023 Frontiers in Materials 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Forever Chemicals PFAS Global Impact and Activities, Cascading Consequences of Colossal Systems Failure: Long-Term Health Effects, Food-Systems, Eco-Systems

This comprehensive review examines PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination across food, water, and consumer products, highlighting their interconnection with microplastic pollution. The authors document decades of delayed regulatory action and cover-ups that have contributed to widespread human exposure. Evidence indicates long-term health effects from PFAS exposure, and the review calls for stronger risk assessment tools and policy responses to address this persistent chemical contamination.

2025 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Molecular-Scale Insights into the Interactions between Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyethylene

Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics can strongly attract and hold onto toxic "forever chemicals" called PFAS, which are already found in drinking water and food. This means microplastics in our environment could act like sponges that collect these harmful chemicals and potentially transport them to new places, including into our bodies. The research helps explain why these two types of pollution might work together to create bigger health risks than either one alone.

2026 The Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Article Tier 2

Weighty Consequences: Pollution’s Hidden Weight in the Obesity Epidemic: A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines evidence linking environmental pollutants—including air pollution, persistent organic pollutants, and microplastics—to obesity and metabolic disruption. It highlights biological mechanisms by which pollutants act as obesogens and calls for pollution to be considered a driver of the global obesity epidemic.

2025 Current Obesity Reports
Article Tier 2

Fate, distribution, and transport dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in the environment

This review examines how PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," move through water, soil, plants, and air, with their ultra-strong carbon-fluorine bonds making them nearly indestructible in nature. While focused on PFAS rather than microplastics specifically, the two pollutants often co-occur and share similar concerns about persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential health effects.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Are microplastics in food a risk factor for obesity: Current evidence, mechanistic pathways and emerging health risks associated with human exposure

This review examines the emerging evidence linking microplastic and nanoplastic exposure to metabolic dysfunction and potential obesity risk. Researchers found that these particles have been detected in multiple human tissues and may contribute to inflammation, hormonal disruption, gut microbiome changes, and altered fat cell development. While animal and laboratory studies support a plausible connection, the study notes that direct evidence in humans is still limited and further research is needed.

2026
Article Tier 2

Unraveling the complexities of microplastics and PFAS synergy to foster sustainable environmental remediation and ecosystem protection: A critical review with novel insights

This review examines how microplastics and PFAS (sometimes called 'forever chemicals') interact in the environment, since both often come from the same everyday products. The authors found that microplastics can carry PFAS on their surface, and when organisms are exposed to both together, the combined toxic effects including oxidative stress and reproductive harm can be worse than either pollutant alone.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution: A potent threat for metabolic disruption in mammals

This review examines the evidence linking microplastic exposure to metabolic disruption, covering mechanisms by which microplastics and their associated chemical additives may interfere with hormonal regulation, glucose metabolism, and lipid homeostasis. The authors identify microplastics as a potent emerging threat to metabolic health.

2024 INDIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND ALLIED SCIENCES
Article Tier 2

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations are Associated with an Unfavorable Cardio-Metabolic Risk Profile: Findings from Two Population-Based Cohort Studies

Researchers found that even low blood levels of PFAS ("forever chemicals") in the general population were associated with worse cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles — a known risk factor for heart disease — with stronger harmful effects in younger adults, supporting calls for stricter regulation of these persistent chemicals.

2024 Exposure and Health 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics, nanoplastics, and plastic chemicals: applying the key characteristics of metabolism disrupting agents shows reason for concern

Researchers applied the key characteristics framework for metabolism-disrupting agents to evaluate plastic-derived chemicals and micro- and nanoplastic particles. The study suggests that common plastic chemicals such as perfluorinated compounds and plastic particles themselves meet criteria associated with metabolic disruption, raising concerns about their potential role in metabolic diseases.

2026 Environmental Endocrinology
Article Tier 2

A review of environmental metabolism disrupting chemicals and effect biomarkers associating disease risks: Where exposomics meets metabolomics

This review examines how environmental chemicals, including contaminants associated with plastics, can disrupt human metabolism and contribute to conditions like obesity and diabetes. Researchers mapped the connections between chemical exposure and changes in metabolic biomarkers that signal disease risk. The study highlights the emerging field of metabolism-disrupting chemicals and the importance of understanding how everyday environmental exposures influence long-term metabolic health.

2021 Environment International 175 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the Truth of Interactions between Microplastics and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Microplastics as a Carrier of PFASs and Beyond

Researchers discovered that microplastics in wastewater treatment plants act as carriers for PFAS (forever chemicals), absorbing them from the water and potentially releasing them back into the environment. Commercial plastics were found to leach even more PFAS than environmental samples, with some chemicals releasing more than was originally absorbed. This dual role of microplastics as both carriers and sources of forever chemicals means they could significantly increase human exposure to these persistent, harmful substances.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of non-degradable and degradable microplastics on the bioavailability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance in mice: Mechanism exploration

Researchers studied how microplastics in food affect the body's absorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of persistent chemicals found in drinking water. They found that high doses of polystyrene microplastics significantly increased PFAS absorption in mice while reducing the amount excreted, essentially making these harmful chemicals more bioavailable. The study suggests that microplastics in the diet could amplify the health risks posed by co-occurring chemical contaminants.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

From co-occurrence to co-existence and co-exposure: Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics in the environment

This review examines the growing recognition that PFAS chemicals and microplastics frequently co-occur in the environment and may interact in ways that affect both ecological and human health. Researchers identified four major sources that emit both pollutants simultaneously and found strong evidence that PFAS can adsorb onto microplastic surfaces and be co-transported through the environment. The study calls for standardized methods and long-term studies to better understand the combined exposure risks of these two widespread contaminant classes.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 2 citations