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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to African Journal of Biomedical Research
ClearQuantitative analysis of polystyrene microplastic and styrene monomer released from plastic food containers
Researchers analyzed how polystyrene food containers release microplastics and styrene monomers under everyday conditions like heating and UV exposure. They found that containers released significant amounts of both microplastic particles and chemical compounds that could enter food. The study raises concerns about human exposure to microplastics through common disposable food packaging.
An Insight into the Growing Concerns of Styrene Monomer and Poly(Styrene) Fragment Migration into Food and Drink Simulants from Poly(Styrene) Packaging
This review examined styrene monomer migration from polystyrene food packaging into food and drink simulants, summarizing evidence on migration rates under different conditions and discussing the regulatory status of styrene as a potential human health concern.
Polystyrene as Hazardous Household Waste
This chapter reviews the hazards associated with polystyrene — a petroleum-based plastic used in packaging and household products — highlighting its persistence, the toxic additives it contains, and its potential to fragment into microplastics. The authors discuss regulatory history and make the case for treating polystyrene foam as a hazardous household waste.
Styrofoam debris as a potential carrier of mercury within ecosystems
Researchers found that styrofoam debris on beaches in southern Poland had accumulated mercury concentrations far higher than surrounding sand, suggesting that plastic debris can act as a carrier for mercury within ecosystems. Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) concentrates mercury from the environment and could introduce this toxic metal into food chains when ingested by wildlife.
Studies on styrene concentration in drinking water and hot beverages in some settings
This study measured styrene — a potentially carcinogenic chemical derived from polystyrene plastic — in drinking water and hot beverages, finding detectable levels in samples from polystyrene containers. The findings highlight that plastic packaging can leach toxic monomers into beverages, adding to concerns about chemical exposure from plastic food contact materials.
Polystyrene microplastic particles in the food chain: Characteristics and toxicity - A review
This review covers how polystyrene microplastics move through the food chain, from water and soil into animals and ultimately humans. Accumulation in organs leads to a range of harmful effects including weight loss, lung disease, brain toxicity, and oxidative stress. The paper highlights that these tiny plastic particles are particularly dangerous because they can cross biological barriers and carry other toxic chemicals with them.
Unveiling the noxious effect of polystyrene microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and their toxicological behavior on fishes and microalgae
This review provides an extensive look at how polystyrene microplastics affect aquatic ecosystems, with a particular focus on their toxic effects on fish and microalgae. Researchers found alarming levels of polystyrene in surface waters and sediments across urban, coastal, and rural areas. Evidence indicates that polystyrene particles can impair growth, reproduction, and immune function in aquatic organisms, raising concerns about cascading effects through marine food chains.
Nanoplastics as a Potential Environmental Health Factor: From Molecular Interaction to Altered Cellular Function and Human Diseases
This review examined how nanoplastics — particularly polystyrene — interact with cells at the molecular level, potentially causing lasting changes that could contribute to developmental problems and degenerative disease. The study highlights growing concerns about nanoplastics as an emerging environmental health risk given their widespread presence in food, water, and air.
Microplastics release from victuals packaging materials during daily usage
Researchers investigated microplastic release from food packaging materials during daily usage, with a focus on polystyrene foam containers. The study found that these containers release microplastic particles during routine handling, heating, and food contact, suggesting that food packaging is a significant and direct source of human microplastic exposure.
Review of the toxic effects and mechanisms of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics across multiple animal species
This review comprehensively examines the toxic effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics across marine animals, freshwater species, soil organisms, and mammals. Researchers found that these particles can cause damage at multiple biological levels, affecting the digestive, respiratory, nervous, reproductive, and circulatory systems. The study highlights the widespread environmental presence of polystyrene plastics and the need to better understand how they harm living organisms.
Nanoplastics in the oceans: Theory, experimental evidence and real world
Researchers critically review over 200 studies on nanoplastic pollution — focusing predominantly on polystyrene — synthesizing knowledge on how nanoplastics form from polymer degradation, accumulate in seawater, and affect organisms in controlled conditions, while identifying key methodological standards needed for reliable ecotoxicological assessments.
Exploring the impact of polystyrene microplastics on human health: unravelling the health implications of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs): a comprehensive study on cytotoxicity, reproductive health, human exposure, and exposure assessment
This study explores the various ways polystyrene microplastics can affect human health, including through impacts on cells, reproductive tissues, and cumulative exposure from food and consumer products. Researchers found evidence that toxic chemicals leaching from polystyrene can enter the body through multiple routes and accumulate over time. The findings emphasize the importance of standardized methods for monitoring human microplastic exposure.
Bioaccumulation and toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics on marine and terrestrial organisms with possible remediation strategies: A review
Researchers reviewed how polystyrene nanoplastics — tiny plastic fragments from food containers, packaging, and insulation — accumulate in both marine and land animals through skin, breathing, and digestion, causing toxic effects across ecosystems. The review also evaluated promising cleanup strategies including biochar adsorption, photocatalysis, and filtration membranes that could help remove polystyrene nanoplastics from contaminated environments.
Distinctive impact of polystyrene nano-spherules as an emergent pollutant toward the environment
Researchers assessed polystyrene nanosphere toxicity to marine crustaceans and human blood cells, finding significant aggregation in seawater, lethal concentrations for brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and lymphocytes at microgram-per-milliliter levels, and evidence of genotoxicity and oxidative stress damage, establishing these particles as an emerging environmental and health hazard.
Role of Residual Monomers in the Manifestation of (Cyto)toxicity by Polystyrene Microplastic Model Particles
Researchers investigated whether the toxicity observed in laboratory studies using polystyrene microplastic particles might actually come from leftover styrene monomer trapped in the particles rather than the plastic itself. They found that standard commercial polystyrene particles containing residual monomers showed mild toxicity to mammalian cells, while thoroughly purified particles did not. The study suggests that some reported toxic effects of microplastics in lab settings may be partly attributed to chemical residues rather than the plastic particles alone.
Manifestation of polystyrene microplastic accumulation in tissues of vital organs including brain with histological and behaviour analysis on Swiss albino mice
Researchers exposed rats to polystyrene microplastics and examined accumulation in vital organs including the brain, liver, kidney, and gut, finding tissue-specific deposition that was associated with behavioral changes and organ-level pathological effects.
Microplastics in polystyrene-made food containers from China: abundance, shape, size, and human intake
Researchers analyzed polystyrene food containers sold in China for microplastic contamination, examining the abundance, shape, and size of particles released. The study found that these containers shed microplastics during normal use, with hot liquids and acidic foods increasing the amount of plastic released. The results raise concerns about daily microplastic exposure from common food packaging.
Assessment of the Accumulation and Potential Toxicity of Polystyrene Microplastics in Rats
This study assessed polystyrene microplastic accumulation in aquatic organisms and evaluated associated toxicity endpoints including oxidative stress, histological changes, and behavioral effects. Microplastics accumulated in multiple tissues and caused dose-dependent physiological harm.
Impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure on lipid profile and oxidative stress status of male and female Wistar rats
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastic exposure in Wistar rats caused significant alterations in lipid profiles and increased oxidative stress markers, with effects varying between male and female rats and between pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam forms.
Current research trends on micro- and nano-plastics as an emerging threat to global environment: A review.
This review summarizes the current knowledge on micro- and nanoplastics as emerging global pollutants, covering their distribution across terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments, their persistence, and the health risks from their chemical additives. It identifies key research gaps in understanding how MNPs move between environmental compartments and accumulate in living organisms.