Quantifying Cellular Uptake of Nanoplastics In Vitro: A Workflow for Fluorescently Labeled Nanosized Polystyrene Particles

The accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment increasingly entails human exposure to this class of highly diverse polymer particles. To evaluate potential risks to human health, hazard assessments commonly involve in vitro testing using human-derived cell lines to establish dose-response relationships for MNPs. However, the reliable quantification of actual particle uptake in cells is particularly challenging for nanoscale materials (particles less than 1 μm in size). We…

Spatiotemporal fate of nanoplastics: From membrane encounter to perinuclear confinement revealed by STED microscopy

Nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, yet their subcellular fate from membrane encounter to destination remains poorly understood due to limitations in imaging resolution. Here, we address this gap by using stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution microscopy to visualize the complete intracellular journey of individual NPs at nanoscale precision. A photostable AIEgen-core NP enabled resolution of individual NPs and real-time tracking of their nanoscale…

Nanoplastic Pollution of Human Bronchoalveolar Lavage Probed Based on Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Raman spectroscopy is a commonly used label-free technique for the chemical analysis of microplastics (MPs), which are defined as plastic particles larger than 1 μm but smaller than 5 mm size; given its small signal strength and diffraction-limited spatial resolution, Raman spectroscopy has limited applicability in the study of nanoplastics (NPs), which are defined as particles smaller than 1 μm. Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) is a promising technique that can overcome these limitations by…

Unmasking the haemostatic potential of quotidian plastics: upon first glance

Acrylamide, bisphenols, phthalates, and micro- and nanoplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants with well-documented carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and reproductive effects. Nonetheless, their potential contribution to cardiovascular diseases remains strikingly unrecognised, despite the rising incidence of their clinical manifestations in younger populations and growing evidence of their effects on haemostasis and thrombosis. Single- and dual-antiplatelet therapy only partially controls the…

A Systematic Review of Genotoxicity and Mutagenicity Affecting Reproductive and Neurocognitive Health: Bridging Siloed Disciplines

This systematic literature review (B-SLR) examines the emerging scholarly consensus on mechanistic linkage between genotoxic exposures and multisystem health dysfunctions. We systematically reviewed 200 peer-reviewed publications from 2021 to 2025 applying SPAR4-SLR protocol with quality appraisal using ROBINS-I adaptation and also performed assessment of publication bias. We have identified trends in genotoxicity research and its causal relationship with reproductive and neurocognitive health…

Microplastics in Food

Microplastics in Food: What Are You Actually Eating? Microplastics in food are no longer just a question about pollution in oceans and waterways. Researchers have detected microscopic plastic particles in a variety of foods and beverages, raising an obvious question: How much plastic are we being exposed to through what we eat and drink? The […]

Microplastics in Your Body

Microplastics in Your Body: How Are You Being Exposed?

Microplastics are no longer only an environmental pollution issue. Researchers have detected microplastics in human samples including blood, urine, stool and organs, while studies have also reported their presence in tissues such as the lungs and placenta.

Estuarine microplastics under megacity pressure: methodological fragmentation, ecological exposure and management priorities in Can Gio Mangroves

Microplastic (MP) pollution in tropical mangroves is an emerging environmental concern, yet the mechanisms governing particle retention, remobilization, and ecological exposure remain poorly understood. This critical review synthesizes current evidence from the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve (Vietnam) using a three-tiered evidence hierarchy to distinguish local observations, contextual evidence, and testable hypotheses. Existing studies reveal severe methodological fragmentation, including…

Bacteria-nanoplastic interactions: mechanisms, ecological consequences, and advances in biodegradation technologies

Nanoplastics (< 1 μm) represent a pervasive class of environmental contaminants with unique physicochemical properties that profoundly influence microbial ecosystems. Their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, weathering-induced functionalization, and ability to adsorb chemical pollutants and biomolecules facilitate intricate interactions with bacterial communities. This review systematically examines nanoplastic-bacteria interactions, highlighting mechanisms such as oxidative stress induction,…

All-optical Mie void sensor for complex nanoplastic mixtures

The fragmentation and direct release of plastic debris have emerged as a pressing ecological concern. Once dispersed, these particles infiltrate food webs, accumulate within organisms, and bind toxic co-contaminants, posing long-term risks to ecosystems and human health. Despite growing awareness, the characterization of nanoplastics remains highly challenging. Moreover, obtaining additional information, such as particle shape or material composition, further exacerbates these detection hurdles….