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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Understanding Human Health Impacts Following Microplastic Exposure Necessitates Standardized Protocols
ClearMicroplastics: challenges of assessment in biological samples and their implication for in vitro and in vivo effects
This review examines the challenges of detecting and assessing microplastics in biological samples, noting that analytical limitations and lack of standardized methods hinder our understanding of health effects. The study highlights that humans are exposed to microplastics primarily through ingestion and inhalation, and that more long-term studies with standardized protocols are needed to understand the full scope of potential biological impacts.
Microplastics and nanoplastics: Exposure and toxicological effects require important analysis considerations
This review highlights that while microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human tissues and linked to several diseases, the actual toxic effects are still unclear because researchers use very different methods to study them. The authors call for standardized testing approaches so that results can be compared reliably, which is critical for determining what levels of exposure actually pose a risk to human health.
Can the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on human health really be assessed using in vitro models? A review of methodological issues
This review examines whether lab-based cell studies can reliably predict how micro and nanoplastics affect human health. The authors found significant inconsistencies in how researchers choose plastic particle types, doses, and exposure methods, making it hard to compare results across studies. The paper calls for standardized testing protocols so that lab findings can more accurately reflect real-world microplastic exposure risks to people.
Do’s and don’ts of microplastic research: a comprehensive guide
This guide, created by surveying researchers in the field, addresses the biggest challenges in microplastic science, including the lack of standardized methods, limited access to analytical equipment, and difficulty replicating real-world exposure levels in lab tests. It provides best practices for defining, sampling, and testing the health effects of microplastics, aiming to make research more consistent and reliable across studies.
The current status of studies of human exposure assessment of microplastics and their health effects: a rapid systematic review
This rapid systematic review summarizes what is known about human exposure to microplastics and potential health effects based on studies published from 2000 to 2019. The researchers found that there is no standardized method for measuring microplastic exposure in humans, making it difficult to compare studies or draw firm conclusions. Despite the gaps, the available evidence suggests that people are regularly exposed to microplastics through food, water, and air, and more research is urgently needed on health effects.
Microplastics in Humans: A Critical Review of Biomonitoring Evidence and Immune–Metabolic Associations
This review critically evaluates the current evidence on microplastic detection in human tissues and biological fluids, focusing on methodological challenges and the potential biological mechanisms of action. Researchers found significant variation across studies due to differences in analytical techniques and sample handling protocols. The study highlights emerging evidence linking microplastic presence in the body to immune and metabolic disruptions, while noting that standardized detection methods are urgently needed.
Microplastics in food - a critical approach to definition, sample preparation, and characterisation
This review critically examines how microplastics in food are defined, extracted, and analyzed across different studies, finding significant inconsistencies that make it hard to compare results. The lack of standardized methods for isolating and identifying microplastics in food means that contamination levels may be over- or underestimated. The authors call for unified research methods to enable credible assessments of how dietary microplastic exposure affects health.
An integrated approach to assess exposure and early health effects in human populations exposed to micro- and nanoplastics
This paper outlines a proposed framework for systematically assessing human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics and their early health effects, noting that current estimates are hindered by a lack of standardized detection methods. Researchers emphasize that occupational settings where plastics are processed, as well as vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women, should be prioritized for study. The study calls for validated biomarkers and standardized protocols to better understand the real-world health consequences of human microplastic exposure.
Microplastics and Human Health: A Comprehensive Review on Exposure Pathways, Toxicity, and Emerging Risks
This comprehensive review examines microplastic exposure pathways in humans, methods of detection, and the potential toxic effects on various biological systems. The study highlights growing evidence that microplastics can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, and may affect multiple organ systems, though significant uncertainties remain about long-term health outcomes.
Do We Speak the Same Language for Reference Particles in Microplastic Research?
This paper argues that the microplastics research community lacks agreement on standardized reference particles for laboratory experiments, making it difficult to compare results across studies. The authors call for consensus on definitions and materials to improve the reproducibility and policy relevance of microplastic research.
Gaps between Laboratory Experiments and Real-World Exposure: Toxicological Assessment of Microplastics Is Based on Inadequate Evidence
**TLDR:** This review of existing research found that current studies on microplastic toxicity don't match real-world conditions—most lab experiments test single types of plastic particles at high doses for short periods, while people are actually exposed to many different microplastics mixed with other pollutants over long periods of time. The authors argue we need better testing methods that mirror how people actually encounter microplastics in daily life to truly understand the health risks. This research gap makes it hard to know if microplastics are truly dangerous to human health at the levels we're actually exposed to.
Overview of microplastics pollution with heavy metals: Analytical methods, occurrence, transfer risks and call for standardization
This review systematically assessed current methods for detecting and measuring heavy metals that accumulate on microplastics in the environment. Researchers found significant inconsistencies across studies in sample preparation, measurement techniques, and reporting units, making it difficult to compare results globally. The study calls for standardized protocols to improve our understanding of how microplastics transport heavy metals through ecosystems and the potential risks this poses.
Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies
This paper proposes a framework for improving confidence in how scientists identify and measure micro- and nanoplastics in human tissues and body fluids. The authors argue that studies need to use multiple complementary analysis methods and clearly report their limitations to produce reliable data. Better standardization in detection methods is critical for accurately assessing how much microplastic is actually inside people's bodies and what health risks it may pose.
Analytical methodologies used for screening micro(nano)plastics in (eco)toxicity tests
Researchers reviewed how scientists analyze microplastics and nanoplastics in toxicity experiments, finding widespread inconsistency in how the particles are characterized before testing — including their size, shape, and chemical makeup. Better standardization of these measurements is essential for comparing results across studies and accurately assessing how microplastics harm living organisms.
A standard analytical approach and establishing criteria for microplastic concentrations in wastewater, drinking water and tap water
This study proposes standardized methods and concentration benchmarks for measuring microplastics in wastewater, drinking water, and tap water. The researchers found that current studies use widely varying techniques, making it difficult to compare results or set safety limits. Establishing consistent measurement standards is a critical first step toward determining what levels of microplastics in drinking water may pose risks to human health.
How Problems with Microplastics in Research and Application Can be Overcome: Lessons From the Experience of Plastics Stakeholders
This methodological review addressed persistent challenges in micro- and nanoplastic research — particularly in hazard identification and exposure assessment — and proposed practical solutions to improve reliability and reproducibility. The authors emphasized the need for standardized protocols that account for the complex mixture nature of MNPs including polymer, additives, and adsorbed chemicals.
Microplastics: Clinical Trials Perspectives
This mini review covers the current state of clinical research on microplastics in the human body. Tiny plastic particles have been found in human blood and organs, but studying their effects is challenging due to a lack of standardized methods and ethical guidelines for human trials. The paper highlights that while lab and animal studies provide early data, much more work is needed to understand what microplastics do inside us.
Microplastic Identification and Quantification in Biological Samples
This review examines methods for identifying and quantifying microplastics in biological samples, noting the urgent need for standardized protocols as plastic particles accumulate in marine, terrestrial, and human environments. The paper discusses human exposure routes through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, and highlights gaps in understanding microplastic effects on coagulation and other biological processes.
Disparities in Methods Used to Determine Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Legislation, Sampling Process and Instrumental Analysis
This review examined the wide disparities in sampling, processing, and analytical methods used across microplastic studies, highlighting how inconsistent approaches make it difficult to compare results and calling for standardized international protocols and regulatory frameworks.
Methods to optimize the collection, pretreatment, extraction, separation, and examination of microplastics in soil, groundwater, and human samples
This review evaluates and compares methods for detecting microplastics in soil, groundwater, and human tissue samples, finding significant inconsistencies that make it hard to compare results across studies. Standardizing these detection methods is critical for accurately measuring human microplastic exposure and understanding its health effects.
Further Studies in Translatable Model Systems are Needed to Predict the Impacts of Human Microplastic Exposure
This review highlights that humans are inevitably exposed to microplastics through food, drink, and air, but most toxicity studies have been done in aquatic species at unrealistically high doses. The authors call for better experimental models that reflect realistic human exposure before health risks can be fully assessed.
How problems with microplastics in research and application can be overcome
This methodological review addressed common problems in micro- and nanoplastic research, including challenges in hazard identification, exposure assessment, and risk characterization arising from the complex mixture nature of MNPs. The authors proposed practical solutions and standardization approaches to improve the reliability of microplastic risk assessments.
Gaps and Pathways Towards Standardized, FAIR Microplastics Data Harmonization: A Systematic Review
This systematic review examines why microplastic research data is so hard to compare across studies. It finds that a lack of standardized methods for collecting, analyzing, and reporting microplastic data is a major barrier, and proposes a framework for making research more consistent and useful for understanding health risks.
The use of reference material in microplastic research: general aspects
This paper discussed general considerations for using certified reference materials in microplastic research, arguing that standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that measurements are reproducible and comparable across different laboratories and studies. The lack of such standards remains a major limitation in the field.