Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal cytotoxic mechanisms of Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in BEAS-2B cells

Researchers exposed human lung cells to PET microplastics and used combined gene and metabolite analysis to uncover the mechanisms of toxicity. They found that the microplastics disrupted lipid metabolism and activated cell death pathways, reducing cell viability over time. The study suggests that inhaled PET microplastics could pose risks to respiratory health by triggering harmful molecular changes in lung tissue.

2024 Food and Chemical Toxicology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy

Researchers analyzed lung tissue from 13 people and found microplastics in 11 of the samples, identifying 12 different plastic types including polypropylene and polyester. The particles were found in all regions of the lungs, with significantly higher concentrations in the lower lung. This is one of the first studies to directly confirm that microplastics from everyday environments can be inhaled and accumulate deep in human lung tissue.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 1264 citations
Article Tier 2

Label-free stimulated Raman scattering imaging of intracellular microplastics in mammalian cells

Researchers used label-free stimulated Raman scattering imaging to visualize microplastic uptake and distribution inside mammalian cells without fluorescent labels, finding that intracellular microplastics were associated with elevated reactive oxygen species, reduced cell viability, and altered lipid metabolism.

2025
Article Tier 2

Raman-spektroskopische Charakterisierung von Zellen und Gewebe nach Exposition mit Nanoplastik

Researchers exposed human monocytic THP-1 cells, trophoblasts, and placenta cells to primary and secondary nanoplastic particles at 100 particles/cell in sizes of 200 nm and 60 nm, then used confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy to locate and characterize intracellular nanoplastics.

2022 LIBDOC - Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau
Article Tier 2

Recognition and detection technology for microplastic, its source and health effects

This review summarizes current knowledge about detecting microplastics and their effects on human health, covering methods like FTIR spectroscopy and Raman imaging. The authors highlight that micro- and nanoplastics can cause a range of health problems including oxidative stress, reduced reproductive ability, inflammation, and damage to the circulatory and respiratory systems. The review emphasizes the urgent need for better detection methods so that researchers and regulators can accurately assess how much microplastic people are actually exposed to.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric microplastic and nanoplastic: The toxicological paradigm on the cellular system

This review examines how airborne microplastics and nanoplastics affect human cells after being inhaled into the lungs. Because these particles are tiny and lightweight, they can penetrate deep into lung tissue and potentially enter the bloodstream. Studies on human cell lines show that inhaled plastic particles can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, raising concerns about long-term respiratory and systemic health effects.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 71 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity Study and Quantitative Evaluation of Polyethylene Microplastics in ICR Mice

Researchers fed polyethylene microplastics to mice over 28 days to study their toxicity, and used Raman spectroscopy to track where the particles ended up. They detected microplastics in the lungs, stomach, intestines, and blood serum, with repeated oral exposure leading to inflammation in lung tissue. The findings provide evidence that ingested microplastics can travel beyond the gut and accumulate in other organs.

2022 Polymers 84 citations
Article Tier 2

An In Vitro Assay to Quantify Effects of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Human Gene Transcription

Researchers developed an in vitro assay to quantify how micro- and nano-plastics affect human gene transcription, demonstrating that internalized plastic particles can alter gene expression patterns in human cells, providing a standardized tool for assessing plastic particle toxicity.

2023 Microplastics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of Microplastics in Ambient Particulate Matter Using Raman Spectral Imaging and Chemometric Analysis

Researchers optimized Raman spectral imaging combined with chemometric analysis to detect and identify microplastics in ambient airborne particulate matter at sizes down to 2 micrometers. The study demonstrates a method for spectroscopically verifying the chemical composition of airborne microplastics, addressing concerns about human inhalation exposure to small plastic particles that can reach the lungs.

2020 Analytical Chemistry 176 citations
Article Tier 2

Distinguish the toxic differentiations between acute exposure of micro- and nano-plastics on bivalves: An integrated study based on transcriptomic sequencing

Researchers found that nanoplastics are more toxic than microplastics in mussels, causing severe inflammatory responses and greater oxidative stress, with transcriptomic analysis revealing contrasting gene expression patterns between the two particle sizes.

2022 Aquatic Toxicology 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Cell Response to Nanoplastics and Their Carrier Effects Tracked Real-Timely with Machine Learning-Driven Smart Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Slides

Researchers developed a novel smart sensor slide that can track in real time how living cells respond to nanoplastic exposure at the molecular level. Using specially designed core-shell plastic nanoparticles with embedded tracking signals, they could monitor each stage from initial cell contact through absorption and eventual cell damage. The technology offers a powerful new tool for studying how nanoplastics interact with human cells and carry other pollutants into the body.

2025 Analytical Chemistry 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review

A systematic scoping review of 68 studies found that inhaled micro- and nanoplastics are detected in human lung tissue and associated with pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired lung function, though most evidence comes from occupational settings and in vitro experiments.

2025 Microplastics
Article Tier 2

Recent advances on transport and transformation mechanism of nanoplastics in lung cells

This review examines how nanoplastics, the smallest fragments of plastic pollution, travel through and affect lung cells after being inhaled. Researchers summarized evidence that these particles can cross cell membranes, trigger inflammation, and undergo chemical changes inside respiratory tissue. The findings underscore that airborne nanoplastics represent a potential threat to human respiratory health that warrants further investigation.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology

Researchers exposed both healthy and asthmatic mice to airborne microplastics and found significant lung inflammation, immune activation, and increased mucus production in both groups. Microplastic particles were taken up by immune cells called macrophages, and gene analysis revealed changes in immune response, cellular stress, and cell death pathways. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may worsen respiratory health in both normal and vulnerable populations.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 207 citations
Article Tier 2

Machine Learning-Aided 3D Dynamic SERS Strategy for Physiological Mapping: Biotoxicity of Environmentally Dimensional Aged Nanoplastics and Corresponding Protein Corona Complexes

Researchers used a new combination of 3D surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to study the toxicity of nanoplastics on cells. They found that aged nanoplastics and those coated with proteins from the environment caused different types of cell damage depending on the plastic type. This approach could help scientists more rapidly assess the biological hazards of nanoplastics found in the environment.

2024 Analytical Chemistry 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Cell Responseto Nanoplastics and Their Carrier EffectsTracked Real-Timely with Machine Learning-Driven Smart Surface-EnhancedRaman Spectroscopy Slides

Researchers developed smart SERS slides to monitor in real-time how cells respond to polystyrene nanoplastics and their ability to carry contaminants (the 'carrier effect'). The platform captured intracellular metabolic changes at the molecular level, showing nanoplastics extended cell cycle S and G2 phases in lung cells and that carried pollutants caused additional distinct cellular effects.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

A particle of concern: explored and proposed underlying mechanisms of microplastic-induced lung damage and pulmonary fibrosis

This paper explores how inhaled microplastics may cause lung damage and scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) through several biological pathways. The research identifies signaling pathways that could be targeted for future treatments to reduce microplastic-induced lung damage. This is relevant to human health because people regularly breathe in airborne microplastic particles.

2025 Inhalation Toxicology 10 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Deleterious effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on rodent lungs: a systematic review

This systematic review summarizes research on how inhaled micro- and nanoplastics affect the lungs in animal studies. The findings show these particles can cause lung inflammation, tissue damage, and immune responses, suggesting that breathing in airborne microplastics may pose real risks to respiratory health.

2025
Article Tier 2

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

Researchers combined fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and coherent Raman scattering microscopy in a single instrument to image micro- and nanoplastics in lung cells, zebrafish, and mouse tissues. Polystyrene nanoplastics crossed the blood-brain barrier and accumulated in lipid-rich brain regions in mouse models.

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

Label-free human-disease characterization through circulating cell free DNA analysis using Raman Spectroscopy

Not relevant to microplastics — this study uses Raman spectroscopy to analyse cell-free DNA in blood as a diagnostic tool for cancer and diabetes, with no connection to microplastic research.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Raman imaging to capture microplastics and nanoplastics carried by smartphones

Researchers used Raman imaging to detect and characterize microplastics and nanoplastics deposited on the surfaces of smartphones, demonstrating that mobile devices accumulate plastic particles from daily use environments. The study identifies smartphones as an overlooked carrier and potential source of microplastic and nanoplastic particles, with implications for understanding human exposure pathways.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 16 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study on the Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in the Atmosphere Using Spectroscopic Analysis

Using micro-Raman spectroscopy, researchers identified and characterized microplastics in atmospheric fine dust samples collected with a high-volume air sampler. The study confirms that microplastics are present in fine airborne particulates, contributing to evidence that humans are exposed to plastic particles through inhalation.

2023 Journal of Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health

This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics can enter the human body through the gut, lungs, and skin, and what potential health effects they might cause at the cellular level. While there is growing evidence that these particles trigger toxic responses in cells, research into their specific effects inside the human body is still limited. The paper calls for more studies on how nanoplastics in particular move through human tissue barriers and what long-term damage they may cause.

2021 Nanomaterials 883 citations
Article Tier 2

Raman Spectral Imaging for the Detection of Inhalable Microplastics in Ambient Particulate Matter Samples

Researchers developed a filter-based sampling method compatible with Raman spectral imaging to detect inhalable-sized microplastics in ambient air samples. They successfully identified and mapped plastic particles as small as a few micrometers on sampling filters. The study provides a practical new analytical approach for measuring airborne microplastic exposure, an area where reliable detection methods have been lacking.

2019 Environmental Science & Technology 143 citations