Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

From Space to Health: Satellite-Derived Microplastic Exposure and Health

Using satellite-derived marine microplastic exposure data linked to Chilean health records, researchers found associations between coastal microplastic concentrations and adverse birth outcomes, providing population-level evidence that marine plastic pollution may affect human health.

2025
Systematic Review Tier 1

Impact of Microplastics on Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of 12 studies confirmed the presence of microplastics ranging from 2.1 to 100 micrometers in human placentas and fetal tissue. Microplastic levels correlated with reduced birthweight, affected gestational age, diminished microbiome diversity, and impaired fetal growth and development, with lifestyle choices influencing placental microplastic burden.

2024 Cureus 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Placental microplastics contamination and its impact on thyroid function in newborns

Researchers analyzed placental tissue from over 1,200 mother-child pairs and found microplastics present in the samples, then examined whether these levels were associated with thyroid hormone profiles in the newborns. The study found associations between placental microplastic contamination and variations in newborn thyroid function, which is critical for early growth and development. These findings suggest that prenatal microplastic exposure warrants further investigation as a potential factor in infant health.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 3 citations
Article Tier 2

The Association Between Microplastics and Microbiota in Placentas and Meconium: The First Evidence in Humans

Researchers analyzed placentas and meconium from 18 mother-infant pairs in Shanghai and found microplastics present in both, providing some of the first direct evidence of microplastic exposure during pregnancy and at birth. They also discovered correlations between microplastic presence and changes in microbial communities in these tissues. The study raises important questions about whether early-life microplastic exposure could influence infant health and development.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 176 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of placental microplastics on birth anthropometrics: A cross-sectional study

Researchers studied placental microplastic content in 1,750 mother-infant pairs in China and examined associations with birth weight, length, and head circumference. Using advanced laser infrared imaging, they identified and quantified specific polymer types including PVC, polypropylene, PBS, and PET in placental tissue. The study provides large-scale evidence linking placental microplastic exposure to fetal growth measurements, contributing to the growing understanding of prenatal microplastic impacts.

2026 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Article Tier 2

[Progress in research of effects of microplastic exposure on maternal and infant health].

This Chinese-language review summarizes microplastic research relevant to maternal and infant health, covering exposure pathways in pregnant women and offspring, epidemiological and toxicological evidence on health impacts, and proposed priorities for future research.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

What Health Concerns Could Micro and Nanoplastics Pose for Infants? A Review

Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human placentas, meconium, and infant faeces, meaning babies can be exposed before and immediately after birth. This review examines what these early-life exposures might mean for infant health and development, and discusses broader policy responses to reduce plastic overproduction as the most direct route to protecting future generations.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic exposure in daily life and the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension: A study on the association between environmental pollutants and maternal-fetal health outcomes

In a study of pregnant women, those with pregnancy-induced high blood pressure had 1.46 times more microplastics in their umbilical cords than healthy pregnant women, with polyethylene and polycarbonate being especially elevated. Microplastic exposure was linked to use of plastic containers and takeout meals, and higher levels were associated with worse outcomes for newborns. While this preliminary study has limitations, it suggests that everyday microplastic exposure during pregnancy may be connected to dangerous blood pressure complications.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Plasticizing Pregnancy: Microplastics Identified in Expectant Mothers’ Feces

Researchers detected microplastic polymers in the feces of pregnant women in Indonesia, providing evidence of microplastic exposure during pregnancy. The study identified several types of plastic particles present in the samples. The findings raise concerns about maternal microplastic exposure and highlight the need for further research into potential effects during pregnancy.

2024 Environmental Health Insights 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine Microplastics and Infant Health

This review examines the accumulation of marine microplastics and their potential implications for infant health, a uniquely vulnerable population. The authors discuss exposure pathways including breast milk and formula and highlight the need for targeted research on developmental health effects given the limited body of evidence in young children and infants.

2024 1 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Health Implications of Microplastic Exposure in Pregnancy and Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

This systematic review summarizes existing research on how microplastic exposure during pregnancy and early childhood may affect health. The evidence shows that microplastics can reach the placenta and may cause oxidative stress and inflammation, raising concerns about potential effects on fetal development and infant health during these vulnerable life stages.

2025 International Journal of Women s Health 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in maternal amniotic fluid and their associations with gestational age

Researchers detected microplastics in 80% of amniotic fluid samples from 40 pregnant women, with polyethylene being the most common type, and found that higher microplastic levels were associated with shorter pregnancies. Seafood consumption and bottled water intake were linked to higher microplastic levels in the amniotic fluid, suggesting these are key exposure routes that could affect fetal development.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 51 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

The effects of exposure to microplastics on female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis pools data from multiple studies to assess how microplastic exposure affects female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes. The findings suggest that microplastic accumulation may be linked to adverse effects on fertility and pregnancy, highlighting an important and underexplored area of concern for women's health.

2025 Reproductive Toxicology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastics during pregnancy and fetal liver function

Researchers detected microplastics in the placentas of nearly 90% of over 1,000 pregnant women and found that higher placental microplastic levels were linked to elevated liver enzymes in umbilical cord blood. This suggests that microplastics crossing the placenta may affect fetal liver function before birth, raising concerns about the health effects of prenatal plastic exposure.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Prenatal exposure to microplastics and biomarkers of renal dysfunction in umbilical cord blood: Evidence from a birth cohort in China

Researchers analyzed placental tissue from 1,350 pregnant women in China for microplastic content and tested associations with renal biomarkers in umbilical cord blood, finding that prenatal microplastic exposure was linked to elevated markers of kidney dysfunction in newborns.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Article Tier 2

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

Researchers detected microplastic particles larger than 50 micrometers in human placenta and meconium (a baby's first stool) collected during cesarean deliveries. This is significant because it provides direct evidence that microplastics are present in the womb and are being passed to babies before and during birth. The study emphasizes the need for careful contamination controls in clinical studies and calls for further research on nano-sized plastics in human tissue.

2021 Pharmaceutics 438 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Placental Micro- and Nanoplastic Contamination: A Systematic Review of Eco-Exposome Pathways to Preterm Birth and Neonatal Outcomes

This systematic review examined evidence that micro- and nanoplastics have been found in human placentas and may be linked to preterm birth. The particles appear to cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of placental function through multiple molecular pathways, raising concerns about the impact of plastic pollution on pregnancy outcomes and newborn health.

2025
Article Tier 2

The Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Health and Reproductive Outcomes

This scoping review compiled existing literature on micro- and nanoplastic exposure in relation to women's health and reproductive outcomes. The study identified inverse associations between microplastic exposure and adverse neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight, and highlighted physiological routes of absorption and vulnerable organs, while noting significant gaps in current knowledge that need to be addressed.

2026 OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Article Tier 2

Impact of Marine Microplastics on Neurologic and Functional Disabilities: A Population‐Level Study

Researchers analyzed county-level data across 218 U.S. coastal communities and found a significant association between marine microplastic pollution levels and self-reported rates of cognitive, mobility, and independent living disabilities. Communities with higher microplastic exposure showed higher prevalence of neurological and functional impairments. While the study notes the relationship is associative rather than causal, it highlights the urgent need for further research into how microplastic exposure may affect brain and nervous system health at a population level.

2025 European Journal of Neurology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Human reproductive exposure to microplastics: A multi-technique analytical study of menstrual and amniotic fluids

Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics in menstrual blood and amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds babies in the womb) for the first time. These plastic pieces came from common materials like water bottles and food packaging, showing that plastic pollution is reaching deep into our reproductive systems. While we don't yet know what health effects this might cause, the discovery raises important questions about how widespread plastic contamination could affect pregnancy and reproductive health.

2026 NanoImpact
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Placental plastics in young women from general population correlate with reduced foetal growth in IUGR pregnancies

Researchers analyzed placenta samples from 43 women and found plastic particles present, then examined whether their presence correlated with birth outcomes. They found a significant association between higher concentrations of placental plastics and reduced fetal growth in pregnancies affected by intrauterine growth restriction. The study provides early evidence suggesting that plastic particle accumulation in the placenta may be linked to impaired fetal development.

2022 Environmental Pollution 156 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Global microplastic pollution at levels harmful to marine life

This meta-analysis pools data from 334 studies to quantify microplastic levels across all major marine habitats worldwide. The findings show that microplastic pollution has already reached levels harmful to marine life in many locations, which matters for human health because contaminated seafood is a significant pathway for microplastic exposure in our diets.

2025 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and human health: A scientometric analysis

Researchers conducted a scientometric analysis of the scientific literature on microplastics and human health, mapping research trends and publication patterns. The study reveals a rapidly growing body of evidence exploring how ubiquitous microplastic contamination may affect human health, while identifying gaps in current research that need further investigation.

2025 Research Society and Development 1 citations