Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Transgenerational impacts of micro(nano)plastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment

This review summarizes research on the transgenerational impacts of micro- and nanoplastics, showing that exposure can harm not only the directly exposed organisms but also their unexposed offspring. Researchers found that the most commonly reported effects across generations include tissue bioaccumulation, impaired growth and reproduction, oxidative stress, and genetic damage. The study highlights that particle characteristics such as size, polymer type, and degree of aging significantly influence the severity of these transgenerational effects.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 77 citations
Article Tier 2

The plastic brain: neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics

This review examines the emerging evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain in both aquatic animals and mammals, potentially causing neurotoxic effects. Researchers found that exposure to these particles induces oxidative stress, inhibits key enzymes involved in nerve signaling, and alters neurotransmitter levels, which may contribute to behavioral changes. The study highlights that systematic research comparing different particle types, sizes, and exposure conditions is urgently needed to understand the neurological risks.

2020 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 691 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

The neurotoxic threat of micro- and nanoplastics: evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo models

This systematic review examined 26 studies showing that micro- and nanoplastics can cross into the brain, damage neurons, and trigger inflammation in lab and animal models. These findings raise concerns that long-term plastic exposure could contribute to neurological problems in humans, though more research is needed.

2025 Archives of Toxicology 23 citations
Article Tier 2

From natural environment to animal tissues: A review of microplastics(nanoplastics) translocation and hazards studies

This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics travel from the environment into animal bodies through water, food, air, and even skin contact, then move through the bloodstream to accumulate in organs. Once inside, these particles cause oxidative stress, inflammation, gut damage, reproductive harm, and nervous system effects across many animal species. The findings strongly suggest that similar pathways of exposure and harm could apply to humans.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 233 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic Effects of Nanoplastics on Animals: Comparative Insights into Microplastic Toxicity

This review compares the toxic effects of nanoplastics versus microplastics across mammals, fish, and invertebrates, finding that nanoplastics generally cause more severe harm because their tiny size allows them to cross biological barriers and enter cells more easily. In mammals, nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause brain inflammation, liver and kidney damage, and reproductive problems that can even pass to future generations. The findings suggest that as plastics in the environment break down into ever-smaller particles, the health risks may actually increase.

2025 Environments 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Intergenerational transfer of micro(nano)plastics in different organisms.

This review summarized research on intergenerational transfer of micro(nano)plastics across plants, aquatic animals, and mammals, examining the patterns, pathways, and mechanisms by which MNPs pass from parents to offspring. Transgenerational transfer was documented across diverse species, raising concerns about accumulated multigenerational health burdens.

2025 Journal of hazardous materials
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the toxicity of micro-nanoplastics: A systematic exploration of understanding environmental and health implications

This review summarizes what is known about the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics, noting they can cross critical barriers in the body including the blood-brain barrier. Studies in lab animals show these particles can cause DNA damage, oxidative stress, and cell death, with potential effects on the brain, heart, lungs, and skin, underscoring the need for more real-world human studies.

2024 Toxicology Reports 22 citations
Article Tier 2

The plastic brain part II: new insights into micro- and nanoplastics neurotoxicity

This systematic review evaluated neurotoxicity evidence from studies on micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure, covering a rapidly growing body of literature. The authors found consistent evidence of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and behavioral disruption across multiple model systems, though dose-response relationships and human relevance remain areas of uncertainty.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics
Article Tier 2

Brain under siege: the role of micro and nanoplastics in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress

This review examines emerging evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in nervous tissue, potentially triggering neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Researchers summarized findings showing these particles may act as neurotoxicants that contribute to synaptic dysfunction and pathological changes in brain cells. The study highlights the need for further research into how chronic plastic particle exposure may affect central nervous system health over time.

2026 3 Biotech
Review Tier 2

A review on micro- and nanoplastics in humans: Implication for their translocation of barriers and potential health effects

This review compiles evidence showing that micro- and nanoplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, placenta, and other organs, and can cross protective barriers including the blood-brain and placental barriers. The accumulated evidence links these particles to inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone disruption, and potential effects on reproduction and brain health, though more research is needed to determine exact risk levels.

2024 Chemosphere 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicological Research on Nano and Microplastics in Environmental Pollution: Current Advances and Future Directions

This review summarizes existing research on how nano- and microplastics from our massive global plastic production enter aquatic environments, absorb harmful chemicals, and move through food chains into living organisms. Studies show these particles can cause brain damage, disrupt metabolism, trigger inflammation, and produce harmful oxidative stress in aquatic species, with microplastics even detected in commercial fish that people eat.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics/nanoplastics and neurological health: An overview of neurological defects and mechanisms

This review summarizes evidence that micro and nanoplastics can harm the nervous system, causing developmental abnormalities, brain cell death, neurological inflammation, and potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. Animal studies show that these tiny plastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue, where they trigger oxidative stress and disrupt normal brain function. While direct evidence in humans is still limited, the findings suggest that chronic microplastic exposure could be a risk factor for neurological health problems.

2024 Toxicology 19 citations
Article Tier 2

The invisible Threat: Assessing the reproductive and transgenerational impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on fish

This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics can cross biological barriers in fish, accumulate in reproductive organs, and cause damage that passes down to offspring who were never directly exposed. The findings raise concerns about the long-term effects of plastic pollution on aquatic food chains, since fish that humans consume may have accumulated microplastics that affected their development and reproductive health.

2024 Environment International 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastics in neurological dysfunction

This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastic particles can interfere with the nervous system across multiple species, including humans. Researchers found that plastic particles may disrupt cellular metabolism, affect brain development, and increase vulnerability to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration. The authors highlight significant knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to understand the long-term neurological impacts of plastic particle exposure.

2026 Trends in Neurosciences
Article Tier 2

Adverse multigeneration combined impacts of micro(nano)plastics and emerging pollutants in the aquatic environment

This review examines how micro and nanoplastics combined with other pollutants can cause harm not just to exposed organisms but also to their offspring across multiple generations. The transgenerational effects include changes in growth, reproduction, and gene expression that persist even without continued exposure. This suggests that microplastic pollution could have long-lasting impacts on wildlife populations beyond what single-generation studies reveal.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 35 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review of the potential neurotoxicity of micro-and nanoplastics: the known and unknown

This critical review of 234 studies found that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain via olfactory translocation or by crossing the blood-brain barrier, where they may cause neuroinflammation, oxidative damage, and behavioral changes in animal models. The evidence raises significant concerns about potential neurotoxic effects of chronic microplastic exposure in humans, though major knowledge gaps remain.

2025 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent advances in toxicological research and potential health impact of microplastics and nanoplastics in vivo

This review summarizes the growing body of research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect living organisms, covering impacts from physical tissue damage and gut disruption to reproductive harm and immune system interference. Researchers found that these tiny particles can also act as carriers for heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pathogens, potentially amplifying their harmful effects. The evidence indicates that microplastics may move up the food chain and ultimately reach humans, though the full extent of health risks remains under investigation.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 117 citations
Article Tier 2

Elucidating the Neurotoxicopathological Impact of Micro and Nanoplastics: Mechanistic Insights Into Oxidative Stress-mediated Neurodegeneration and Implications for Public Health in a Plastic Pervasive Era

Researchers reviewed the growing evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to neurodegenerative diseases, identifying oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, DNA damage, and protein misfolding as key mechanisms of harm to the brain. The review highlights critical knowledge gaps — especially around chronic low-dose exposure — and calls for better detection tools and public health policies to address the emerging neurological threat from plastic pollution.

2025 Indian Journal of Health Care Medical & Pharmacy Practice
Article Tier 2

Human and ecological health effects of nanoplastics: May not be a tiny problem

This review examined the health effects of nanoplastics in humans and ecosystems, finding that while direct human evidence is limited, nanoplastic particles cross biological barriers more readily than larger fragments and trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption in animal models, suggesting the problem is far from trivial.

2021 Current Opinion in Toxicology 12 citations
Article Tier 2

From exposure to neurotoxicity induced by micro-nanoplastics with brain accumulation and cognitive decline

This review synthesizes evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier or traveling along nerve pathways, accumulating in regions critical for memory and thinking. Animal studies show that chronic exposure leads to cognitive problems, behavioral changes, and brain changes resembling neurodegenerative diseases, driven by oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of the gut-brain connection. The findings raise concern that long-term human exposure to nanoplastics through food and air could contribute to cognitive decline and neurological disease.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 7 citations
Article Tier 2

The effects of micro- and nanoplastics on the central nervous system: A new threat to humanity?

This review summarizes growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and damage the central nervous system through inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of brain chemicals. The authors note that microplastic exposure has been linked to memory and behavior changes in animals and may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, though direct human evidence is still limited.

2024 Toxicology 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Nanoplastics on Different Biological Systems

This review examines how nanoplastics affect multiple biological systems — including digestive, reproductive, nervous, and immune systems — synthesizing evidence that nanoplastics cross biological barriers and cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and physiological dysfunction across species.

2025 Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental
Review Tier 2

A review on microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment: Their occurrence, exposure routes, toxic studies, and potential effects on human health

This review summarizes what is known about how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin contact, and what they do once inside. Studies on cells and animals show these tiny particles can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and harm to the immune, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. The research makes clear that microplastics are not just an environmental problem but a direct concern for human health.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 379 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Toxicity and Accumulation of Nanoplastics Materials: A Review of Experimental Evidence Across Biological Systems

This systematic review of studies from 2010 to 2025 found that nanoplastics can penetrate biological barriers and accumulate in tissues across many organisms. Their tiny size makes them especially concerning because they can enter cells, cause oxidative stress and inflammation, and potentially affect organ function in ways that larger plastic particles cannot.

2025 Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal