Nanoplastics

Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics

This systematic review found microplastics in over 200 bird species across the globe, from Antarctica to South Europe. Birds can suffer gut damage, oxidative stress, and toxic chemical buildup from ingesting plastics — a warning sign for broader ecosystem and food chain contamination that could affect humans too.

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.

Machine Learning Advancements and Strategies in Microplastic and Nanoplastic Detection

This systematic review looks at how machine learning is improving our ability to detect tiny microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. Better detection methods matter because accurately measuring plastic contamination is the first step toward understanding — and reducing — human exposure.

Micro/nanoplastics pollution poses a potential threat to soil health

This large meta-analysis of over 5,000 observations found that micro- and nanoplastics in soil harm crop growth, soil organisms, and microbial communities while increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that plastic pollution poses a broad threat to soil health, which could ultimately affect food production and human well-being.

Systematic review of microplastics and nanoplastics in indoor and outdoor air: identifying a framework and data needs for quantifying human inhalation exposures

This systematic review is the first to examine microplastic levels in both indoor and outdoor air and estimate how much people inhale. The findings suggest we are breathing in microplastic particles daily, with indoor air often containing higher concentrations due to synthetic textiles and household materials.

An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses Evaluating Associations between Human Health and Exposure to Major Classes of Plastic-Associated Chemicals

This umbrella review — a review of existing meta-analyses — assessed the health effects of chemicals found in plastics, including BPA, phthalates, and PFAS. The evidence links these plastic-associated chemicals to hormonal disruption, reproductive problems, metabolic issues, and increased cancer risk across many studies.

Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains

Researchers found microplastics in human brain, liver, and kidney tissue samples, with plastic levels significantly higher in samples from 2024 compared to 2016. The brain contained especially high levels of polyethylene, and brains from people with dementia had even more plastic accumulation. These findings suggest that microplastics are building up in human organs over time, raising urgent questions about potential health effects.

Assessing the Efficacy of Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Nanoplastic and Microplastic Analysis in Human Blood

Researchers tested whether a common lab technique (pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) can reliably measure nanoplastics in human blood. They found that realistic detection limits were up to 20 times higher than ideal conditions suggest, and certain common plastics like polyethylene produced false readings due to interference from blood components. The study concludes that better analytical methods are needed before we can accurately measure plastic levels in human blood.

Health impacts of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure

This review examines the growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross barriers in the lungs and gut, enter the bloodstream, and reach organs like the brain, placenta, and reproductive system. Early clinical studies suggest links to immune changes, heart problems, and reproductive effects, though more research is needed. Better methods for measuring plastic exposure in humans are critical to understanding the true health risks.

Assessing the Impact of Nanoplastics in Biological Systems: Systematic Review of In Vitro Animal Studies

This systematic review of lab studies found that nanoplastics can damage cells in the gut, lungs, liver, brain, and reproductive organs of animals. These ultra-small plastic particles appear capable of crossing biological barriers and causing inflammation and oxidative stress, raising concerns about similar effects in humans.

Systematic review of pulmonary toxicity induced by microplastics and nanoplastics: Insights from in vivo and in vitro studies

Microplastics in the bloodstream can induce cerebral thrombosis by causing cell obstruction and lead to neurobehavioral abnormalities

Researchers discovered that microplastics in the bloodstream can cause blood clots in the brain by getting swallowed by immune cells that then block tiny blood vessels. These blockages reduced blood flow and caused neurological problems in mice. This reveals a new way microplastics may harm the brain, not by crossing into brain tissue directly, but by disrupting blood circulation.

Nanoplastics and Immune Disruption: A Systematic Review of Exposure Routes, Mechanisms, and Health Implications

This systematic review found that nanoplastics — extremely tiny plastic particles — can cross biological barriers and disrupt immune function in laboratory studies. The evidence suggests these particles may trigger inflammation and could potentially contribute to autoimmune conditions, though human studies are still limited.

Nanoplastic concentrations across the North Atlantic

Scientists measured nanoplastics (plastic particles smaller than a micrometer) across the entire North Atlantic Ocean for the first time. They found these tiny particles throughout the water column, with estimated amounts in the surface layer alone potentially reaching 27 million tonnes. This mass rivals or exceeds previous estimates for all larger plastics in the entire Atlantic, showing that nanoplastic pollution is far more extensive than previously thought.

Polylactic Acid Micro/Nanoplastic Exposure Induces Male Reproductive Toxicity by Disrupting Spermatogenesis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice

Even so-called "eco-friendly" biodegradable plastic (polylactic acid, or PLA) was found to cause reproductive harm in male mice. After breaking down in the digestive system, tiny PLA nanoparticles crossed into the testes and damaged sperm quality, mitochondria (the energy producers in cells), and hormone levels. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safe and highlights potential risks to male fertility.

Photo-oxidation of Micro- and Nanoplastics: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Effects in Environments

This review examines how sunlight breaks down micro- and nanoplastics in the environment, changing their surface properties and making them interact differently with pollutants and living organisms. Sun-aged plastic particles can become more toxic to aquatic life and affect soil microbe communities, but many questions remain about these processes under real-world conditions.

Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy

Using a new high-speed imaging technique, researchers detected and identified nanoplastics in bottled water at the single-particle level, finding roughly 240,000 plastic particles per liter. This is far more than previously estimated and includes particles smaller than 100 nanometers made from common plastics, suggesting our exposure to nanoplastics from bottled water may be much higher than thought.

Exploring the nano-wonders: unveiling the role of Nanoparticles in enhancing salinity and drought tolerance in plants

This review explores how nanoparticles can help plants survive drought and high-salt conditions by protecting cell membranes, boosting photosynthesis, and strengthening antioxidant defenses. While promising for agriculture, the effects of nanoparticles vary depending on their size, shape, and concentration, and their potential toxicity to plants needs further study.

Direct observation and identification of nanoplastics in ocean water

Researchers developed a new technique to directly see and identify nanoplastics (plastic particles smaller than a micrometer) in ocean water for the first time. They found nylon, polystyrene, and PET particles in samples from two oceans, appearing as tiny fibers, flakes, and other shapes made from plastics commonly used in everyday products.

Molecular and Cellular Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Focus on Inflammation and Senescence

This review summarizes research showing that micro- and nanoplastics trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and premature cell aging across many experimental models. These are the same biological processes linked to heart disease, brain disorders, and other age-related conditions. Particularly concerning, studies in animals show that plastic-related damage can be passed from parents to offspring, suggesting potential long-term generational health effects.

A Systematic Review of the Placental Translocation of Micro- and Nanoplastics

Nine out of eleven studies confirmed that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the placental barrier, with translocation depending on particle size, charge, chemical modification, and protein corona formation. Animal and in vitro studies showed emerging evidence of placental and fetal toxicity from plastic particle exposure.

Microplastic presence in dog and human testis and its potential association with sperm count and weights of testis and epididymis

Researchers found microplastics in every dog and human testis sample tested, with human testes containing nearly three times more plastic than dog testes. Polyethylene was the dominant plastic type in both species, and certain plastics like PVC and PET were associated with lower testis weight. These findings suggest that widespread microplastic contamination of the male reproductive system could be contributing to declining sperm counts.

Reproductive and developmental implications of micro- and nanoplastic internalization: Recent advances and perspectives

This systematic review documented the detection of micro- and nanoplastics in human semen, placenta, and ovarian follicular fluid, and found evidence linking exposure to impaired sperm quality, disrupted ovarian function, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In animal models, MNPs caused developmental toxicity and transgenerational effects, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modification identified as key mechanisms.

Quantitation and identification of microplastics accumulation in human placental specimens using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Researchers analyzed 62 human placenta samples and found microplastics in every single one, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 685 micrograms per gram of tissue. Polyethylene, the most common plastic in everyday products, made up 54% of the plastics found. This widespread presence of microplastics in placentas raises concerns about fetal exposure during pregnancy and potential effects on development.