Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Novel insights into the joint phytotoxicity of nanoplastics and silver ions at environmentally relevant concentrations: a dual aggregation-induced emission bioimaging approach

Researchers used a novel bioimaging technique to investigate how nanoplastics and silver ions together affect plant health at environmentally realistic concentrations. They found that nanoplastics can carry silver ions and deliver them to plant tissues, amplifying the combined toxic effects. The study provides new visual evidence of how nanoplastics act as carriers for heavy metal pollutants, worsening their impact on aquatic organisms.

2024 Environmental Science Nano 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Imaging and quantifying the biological uptake and distribution of nanoplastics using a dual-functional model material

This study used advanced imaging techniques to visualize and quantify nanoplastic uptake and distribution in biological systems, tracking particle translocation from exposure routes into tissues and characterizing intracellular localization.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Critical evaluation of the potential of ICP-MS-based systems in toxicological studies of metallic nanoparticles

This review evaluates advanced mass spectrometry techniques for studying how metallic nanoparticles behave in biological systems, including how they enter cells, where they accumulate, and how they transform inside the body. While focused on metal nanoparticles rather than microplastics, many of the same analytical methods are being applied to track nanoplastics in tissues. Better tools for detecting and measuring tiny particles in the body are essential for understanding the real health impacts of nanoplastic exposure.

2024 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Imaging and quantifying the biological uptake and distribution of nanoplastics using a dual-functional model material

Researchers developed a dual-functional nanoplastic model material that allows both imaging and precise quantification of nanoplastic uptake in biological systems. Using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, they could track where nanoplastics accumulated in organisms at high resolution. The tool addresses a major gap in nanoplastic research by enabling more accurate measurement of how these tiny particles interact with living tissues.

2024 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A critical viewpoint on current issues, limitations, and future research needs on micro- and nanoplastic studies: From the detection to the toxicological assessment.

This critical review examines the current methods for detecting and characterizing micro- and nanoplastics in various environmental samples, as well as reported toxic effects from in vivo and in vitro studies. The authors found that while substantial effort has been made to understand microplastic behavior, the scientific community is still far from a complete understanding of how these particles behave in biological systems. The review calls for improved standardized protocols and more studies focused on uptake kinetics, accumulation, and biodistribution.

2019 Environmental Research 163 citations
Article Tier 2

Molecular Imaging, Radiochemistry, and Environmental Pollutants

This review examines how molecular imaging and radiotracer chemistry techniques can be used to track how environmental pollutants — including plastics-related chemicals — move through living bodies at very low, realistic concentrations. These methods can reveal where pollutants accumulate in tissues and how quickly they are processed or retained, providing data that traditional toxicology studies miss. The authors highlight the potential of these tools to better characterize the health risks posed by emerging contaminants like microplastic-associated chemicals.

2023 Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of nano- and microplastics in mammalian tissue

This review examined methods for detecting nano- and microplastics in mammalian tissue, surveying analytical approaches as concerns grow about accumulation in biological systems. The paper discussed how continuous fragmentation and environmental accumulation are increasing the likelihood of tissue uptake across multiple organ systems.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

From the synthesis of labeled nanoplastic model materials (isotopic and metallic) to their use in ecotoxicological studies with the detection and quantification analytical methods.

Researchers synthesized isotopically and metallically labeled nanoplastic model materials to enable tracking and quantification of plastic nanoparticles in complex biological and environmental matrices at trace concentrations. The labeled models supported mechanistic studies of nanoplastic fate and exposure by allowing detection at environmentally relevant concentrations not achievable with conventional unlabeled particles.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Systematic Review Tier 1

Determination of metallic nanoparticles in biological samples by single particle ICP-MS: a systematic review from sample collection to analysis

This systematic review found that single particle ICP-MS analysis of engineered nanomaterials in biological samples has focused on only a few nanoparticle compositions, primarily silver and gold, while leaving significant gaps for other materials and important tissue types. The technique enables detection and characterization of individual nanoparticles within complex biological matrices. Similar analytical challenges exist in microplastic research, where detecting and characterizing nano-sized plastic particles in biological tissues remains technically demanding.

2022 Environmental Science Nano 57 citations
Article Tier 2

The toxicity of nanoparticles and their interaction with cells: an in vitro metabolomic perspective

This review examines how nanoparticles interact with human cells and cause toxic effects, using a technique called metabolomics to track changes in cell chemistry. Understanding nanoparticle toxicity is relevant to microplastic research because nanoplastics behave similarly to other nanoparticles, penetrating cells and disrupting normal metabolic processes.

2023 Nanoscale Advances 238 citations
Article Tier 2

From the synthesis of labeled nanoplastic model materials (isotopic and metallic) to their use in ecotoxicological studies with the detection and quantification analytical methods.

This study developed labeled nanoplastic model materials using isotopic and metallic tracers to enable tracking and quantification of nanoplastics in complex biological and environmental matrices at environmentally relevant concentrations. Labeled particles allowed localization and measurement of nanoplastics at levels not detectable by conventional methods, advancing mechanistic exposure studies.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Morphological and chemical characterization of nanoplastics in human tissue

Researchers developed methods to visualize and chemically characterize nanoplastics that have accumulated in human tissue samples. They were able to identify plastic particles smaller than one micrometer within tissue using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The study provides some of the first direct evidence of nanoscale plastic accumulation in the human body, which is essential for designing future health effects research.

2025 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity of metal-based nanoparticles: Challenges in the nano era

This review covers the toxic effects of metal-based nanoparticles on human health, including how they cause oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and organ dysfunction. While focused on engineered nanoparticles rather than microplastics directly, the toxicity pathways described overlap significantly with those triggered by nanoplastic exposure. Understanding these shared mechanisms helps explain how nano-scale particles of any kind, including nanoplastics, may harm the body.

2022 Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 286 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics, an emerging health problem

This review frames micro- and nanoplastics as an emerging human health problem, synthesizing evidence of exposure routes, organ-level accumulation, and biological effects, and calling for updated regulatory frameworks to address this novel class of environmental contaminants.

2025 Environmental Research and Ecotoxicity
Article Tier 2

Harnessing PET to track micro- and nanoplastics in vivo

This study explores the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to track micro- and nanoplastic particles in living organisms. Researchers developed methods to radiolabel plastic particles, enabling accurate determination of how these pollutants move through the body, which is critical for understanding the health effects of chronic microplastic exposure.

2021 Scientific Reports 58 citations
Article Tier 2

Concomitant presence of nanosized plastics and metal(loid)s: is there cause for alarm? State-of-the-art and recommendations for future studies

This review assessed the co-occurrence of nanoplastics and metal(loid)s in the environment, finding that nanoplastics can adsorb and transport heavy metals, potentially amplifying toxicity through combined exposure and calling for integrated risk assessment approaches.

2023 TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Leveraging nanoparticle environmental health and safety research in the study of micro- and nano-plastics

Researchers argue that two decades of research on the environmental health and safety of engineered nanomaterials provides a strong foundation for studying micro- and nanoplastics. They outline how lessons from nano-safety research apply to understanding plastic particle toxicity, bioaccumulation, trophic transfer, and environmental behavior. The study emphasizes that existing tools and methodologies from nanotoxicology can accelerate progress in assessing the risks of particulate plastic pollution.

2024 NanoImpact 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Correlative spectroscopy and microscopy analysis of micro- and nanoplastics in complex biological matrices

Researchers combined fluorescence microscopy, second harmonic generation imaging, and coherent Raman scattering to detect and map micro- and nanoplastics in lung cells, zebrafish, and mouse tissues. Polystyrene nanoplastics were found to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in lipid-rich brain regions in animal models.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

The Need to Implement Innovative Technologies to Advance Research on the Biotoxicity of Micro- and Nanoplastics

This review examines the limitations of current animal models for studying the biotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics and argues for the adoption of innovative technologies such as organoids, organ-on-chip platforms, and advanced imaging. It calls for mechanistic studies that move beyond descriptive toxicity characterisation.

2025 Environment & Health
Article Tier 2

A holistic approach to assess the toxic behaviour of emerging nanomaterials in aquatic system

Not relevant to microplastics — this book chapter reviews how emerging nanomaterials behave at nano-bio-eco interfaces, discussing toxicity, fate, and exposure potential in aquatic systems without a specific focus on plastic particles.

2023 IWA Publishing eBooks 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges in assessing ecological and health risks of microplastics and nanoplastics: tracking their dynamics in living organisms

Researchers proposed a new method for tracking micro- and nanoplastics in living organisms using fluorescent monomers built directly into the plastic particles during synthesis. Current detection methods require destructive sampling and only provide static snapshots, missing the real-time movement of particles through biological systems. This fluorescent monomer approach is designed to enable continuous, stable imaging of plastic particles as they move through complex biological environments.

2026 New Contaminants
Article Tier 2

Spectro‐Microscopic Techniques for Studying Nanoplastics in the Environment and in Organisms

This review examines spectro-microscopic techniques for detecting and characterizing nanoplastics (under 1 um) in environmental and biological matrices, arguing that effective analysis requires combining particle imaging with chemical characterization of the same particles, and highlighting methods capable of simultaneous morphological and chemical identification.

2022 Angewandte Chemie 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Miniature Electrochemical Sensing Accelerates Detection of Toxic Responses Induced by Nanoplastics

This perspective article discusses how miniature electrochemical sensors can accelerate the detection of toxic responses caused by nanoplastics in living organisms. The authors highlight that conventional methods struggle to monitor the chronic, low-level toxicity that nanoplastics cause over time. They advocate for multiplexed electrochemical techniques that can provide real-time, sensitive monitoring of how organisms respond to long-term nanoplastic exposure.

2024 ACS ES&T Water 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Why Detecting Nanoplastics in Humans Matters: Exposure Routes, Biological Evidence, and Potential Health Implications

This review summarizes current evidence on nanoplastic detection in human biological samples, including blood, lung tissue, placenta, and brain samples, confirming that human exposure involves internal uptake rather than just environmental contact. The study discusses how ingestion and inhalation are the dominant exposure pathways, while experimental research suggests nanoplastics may induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption, though direct causal links in humans remain limited.

2026