Category Archives: Microplastics & Environmental Health

Airborne nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly recognized as an emerging respiratory health concern because their small size enables deposition in the distal lung, where they can interact directly with the alveolar microenvironment. However, the sequence of mechanisms linking their initial physicochemical interactions to chronic pulmonary outcomes remains insufficiently defined. This review integrates recent evidence to propose a mechanistic framework connecting early biophysical barrier…

Reliable detection of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human tissues remains analytically challenging due to complex biological matrices, contamination risks, and limited sensitivity of existing spectroscopic and mass-based techniques toward submicrometer particles. Here, we present a histology-compatible analytical approach that enables in situ, volumetric detection and quantification of MNPs in biological tissues with submicrometer sensitivity. The method combines hydrogel-based tissue…

BACKGROUND: Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and human exposure via ingestion and inhalation is increasingly recognized. Numerous studies report microplastics in human tissues and biological fluids, yet the biological relevance and robustness of these findings remain uncertain. This critical work evaluates current evidence on microplastics in the human body, focusing on exposure pathways, particle size relevance, and analytical limitations. Mechanistic…

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants detected in food sources and the marine food chain, raising concerns about human health. Although no causal relationship has been established between MNP exposure and specific diseases, growing evidence suggests adverse developmental, behavioral, cognitive and biochemical effects. This systematic review synthesized evidence from common preclinical neurotoxicology models, including C. elegans, D. rerio, D. melanogaster, in vitro systems and…

Nanoplastics (NPs) and antibiotics are prevalent environmental pollutants that coexist and interact in the environment, leading to complex multi-level toxicities. However, there is currently insufficient research on the effects of co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) on key human proteins, such as human serum albumin (HSA), and the interaction mechanisms and binding modes between them remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of CIP-loaded PSNPs…

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) act as dynamic environmental vectors across the soil-water continuum, allowing them to enter organisms through direct ingestion, leading to potential tissue accumulation. Under specific exposure conditions, these vectors can undergo trophic transfer through food chains, contributing to combined toxicological risks. This paper reviews how the adsorption and co-transport behaviors of chemical pollutants by MPs and NPs are collectively regulated by the…

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental pollutants due to their persistence and bodily accumulation. Recently, functional foods have received much attention for their ability to reverse or block MNP damage for therapeutic purposes and the potential risk of developing oral-gut-brain axis disorders. Among these, artichoke, spirulina algae, Opuntia ficus-indica, pterostilbene, hydroxycinnamic acids, and quinic acid are rich sources of polyphenols. These bioactive…

Plastic contamination (plastamination) is one of the main challenges of the 21st century. Microplastics (MPs, 5 mm-1 µm) and nanoplastics (NPs, <1 µm) are mainly produced from the environmental degradation of plastic waste and enter the food chain, bypass biological barriers, and bioaccumulate in tissues where they exert toxic/inflammatory effects. In the male reproductive system, MP/NPs can cross the blood-testis barrier, impair spermatogenesis, and affect semen quality parameters. While…

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental pollutants, but evidence concerning their effects on endometrial injury and adverse pregnancy outcomes remains limited. Therefore, we employed the Targeted Risk Assessment of Environmental Chemicals (TRAEC) strategy to integrate evidence concerning endometrial injury and adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with exposure to MNPs. Following targeted screening, 21 unique studies yielded 24 literature-derived evidence entries. Together with…

The first Inhaled Particles Symposium was held in 1960 under the leadership of 2 aerosol scientists, Norman Davies and Henry Walton. The study of inhaled particles has evolved over the subsequent decades, encompassing toxicology, epidemiology, aerosol science and occupational hygiene to understand their potential health impacts. Research has progressed from studies of workers in coal mines and those working with asbestos along with other dusts, including talc, radioactive particles, irritant…