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Research papers on Microplastics and human health

Recent and highly-cited academic work on microplastics and human health, gathered from Semantic Scholar, CrossRef and OpenAlex.

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  1. Plastic and Human Health: A Micro Issue?

    Stephanie Wright, Frank J. Kelly · 2017 · Environmental Science & Technology · 3,280 citations

    Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern. Their presence in food destined for human consumption and in air samples has been reported. Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the human health effects of which are unknown. The current review article draws upon cross-disciplinary scientific literature to discuss and evaluate the potential human health impacts of microplastics and outlines urgent areas for future research. Key literature up to September 2016 relating to accumulation, particle toxicity, and chemical and microbial contaminants was critically examined. Although microplastics and human health is an emerging field, complementary existing fields i

  2. Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta

    Antonio Ragusa, Alessandro Svelato, Criselda Santacroce, et al. · 2020 · Environment International · 3,259 citations

    Microplastics are particles smaller than five millimeters deriving from the degradation of plastic objects present in the environment. Microplastics can move from the environment to living organisms, including mammals. In this study, six human placentas, collected from consenting women with physiological pregnancies, were analyzed by Raman Microspectroscopy to evaluate the presence of microplastics. In total, 12 microplastic fragments (ranging from 5 to 10 μm in size), with spheric or irregular shape were found in 4 placentas (5 in the fetal side, 4 in the maternal side and 3 in the chorioamniotic membranes); all microplastics particles were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical

  4. A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health

    Claudia Campanale, Carmine Massarelli, Ilaria Savino, et al. · 2020 · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 1,890 citations

    The distribution and abundance of microplastics into the world are so extensive that many scientists use them as key indicators of the recent and contemporary period defining a new historical epoch: The Plasticene. However, the implications of microplastics are not yet thoroughly understood. There is considerable complexity involved to understand their impact due to different physical-chemical properties that make microplastics multifaceted stressors. If, on the one hand, microplastics carry toxic chemicals in the ecosystems, thus serving as vectors of transport, they are themselves, on the other hand, a cocktail of hazardous chemicals that are added voluntarily during their production as ad

  5. Microplastics in Seafood and the Implications for Human Health

    Madeleine Smith, David C. Love, Chelsea M. Rochman, et al. · 2018 · Current Environmental Health Reports · 1,827 citations

    PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We describe evidence regarding human exposure to microplastics via seafood and discuss potential health effects. RECENT FINDINGS: Shellfish and other animals consumed whole pose particular concern for human exposure. If there is toxicity, it is likely dependent on dose, polymer type, size, surface chemistry, and hydrophobicity. Human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment. As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife including fish and shellfish. Because microplastics are associated with chemicals from manufacturing and that sorb from the surrounding environment, there is concern r

  6. Oyster reproduction is affected by exposure to polystyrene microplastics

    Rossana Sussarellu, Marc Suquet, Yoann Thomas, et al. · 2016 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 1,799 citations

    Plastics are persistent synthetic polymers that accumulate as waste in the marine environment. Microplastic (MP) particles are derived from the breakdown of larger debris or can enter the environment as microscopic fragments. Because filter-feeder organisms ingest MP while feeding, they are likely to be impacted by MP pollution. To assess the impact of polystyrene microspheres (micro-PS) on the physiology of the Pacific oyster, adult oysters were experimentally exposed to virgin micro-PS (2 and 6 µm in diameter; 0.023 mg·L(-1)) for 2 mo during a reproductive cycle. Effects were investigated on ecophysiological parameters; cellular, transcriptomic, and proteomic responses; fecundity; and offs

  7. Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health

    Luís Gabriel A. Barboza, A. Dick Vethaak, Beatriz R.B.O. Lavorante, et al. · 2018 · Marine Pollution Bulletin · 1,571 citations

    Recent studies have demonstrated the negative impacts of microplastics on wildlife. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in marine species for human consumption and the high intake of seafood (fish and shellfish) in some countries cause concern about the potential effects of microplastics on human health. In this brief review, the evidence of seafood contamination by microplastics is reviewed, and the potential consequences of the presence of microplastics in the marine environment for human food security, food safety and health are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and gaps in knowledge are identified. The knowledge on the adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of marin

  8. A Review of Microplastics in Table Salt, Drinking Water, and Air: Direct Human Exposure

    Qun Zhang, Elvis Genbo Xu, Jiana Li, et al. · 2020 · Environmental Science & Technology · 1,025 citations

    The ubiquity of microplastics in aquatic and terrestrial environments and related ecological impacts have gained global attention. Microplastics have been detected in table salt, drinking water, and air, posing inevitable human exposure risk. However, rigorous analytical methods for detection and characterization of microplastics remain scarce. Knowledge about the potential adverse effects on human health via dietary and respiratory exposures is also limited. To address these issues, we reviewed 46 publications concerning abundances, potential sources, and analytical methods of microplastics in table salt, drinking water, and air. We also summarized probable translocation and accumulation pa

  9. Microplastics in wild fish from North East Atlantic Ocean and its potential for causing neurotoxic effects, lipid oxidative damage, and human health risks associated with ingestion exposure

    Luís Gabriel A. Barboza, Clara Lopes, Patrícia Oliveira, et al. · 2019 · The Science of The Total Environment · 911 citations

    Microplastics (MP) pollution has received increased attention over the last few years. However, while the number of studies documentating the ingestion of microplastics by fish has increased, fewer studies have addressed the toxicological effects derived from the ingestion of these small items in wild conditions. Here, MP contamination and effect biomarkers were investigated in three commercially important fish species from the North East Atlantic Ocean. From the 150 analysed fish (50 per species), 49 % had MP. In fish from the 3 species, MP in the gastrointestinal tract, gills and dorsal muscle were found. Fish with MP had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher lipid peroxidation levels in the bra

  10. Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects

    Yue Li, Le Tao, Qiong Wang, et al. · 2023 · Environment & Health · 667 citations

    Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment. As a typical emerging pollutant, its potential health hazards have been widely concerning. In this brief paper, we introduce the source, identification, toxicity, and health hazard of microplastics in the human. The literature review shows that microplastics are frequently detected in environmental and human samples. Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. We summarize the toxic effects of microplastics in experimental models like cells, organoids, and animals. These effects consist of oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotox

  11. A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

    Kurunthachalam Kannan, Krishnamoorthi Vimalkumar · 2021 · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 514 citations

    The ubiquitous exposure of humans to microplastics (MPs) through inhalation of particles in air and ingestion in dust, water, and diet is well established. Humans are estimated to ingest tens of thousands to millions of MP particles annually, or on the order of several milligrams daily. Available information suggests that inhalation of indoor air and ingestion of drinking water bottled in plastic are the major sources of MP exposure. Little is known on the occurrence of MPs in human diet. Evidence is accumulating that feeding bottles and medical devices can contribute to MP exposure in newborns and infants. Biomonitoring studies of human stool, fetus, and placenta provide direct evidence of

  14. Microplastics and environmental effects: investigating the effects of microplastics on aquatic habitats and their impact on human health

    Aref Yarahmadi, SeyedeMozhgan Heidari, Parisa Sepahvand, et al. · 2024 · Frontiers in Public Health · 51 citations

    Microplastics (MPs) are particles with a diameter of <5 mm. The disposal of plastic waste into the environment poses a significant and pressing issue concern globally. Growing worry has been expressed in recent years over the impact of MPs on both human health and the entire natural ecosystem. MPs impact the feeding and digestive capabilities of marine organisms, as well as hinder the development of plant roots and leaves. Numerous studies have shown that the majority of individuals consume substantial quantities of MPs either through their dietary intake or by inhaling them. MPs have been identified in various human biological samples, such as lungs, stool, placenta, sputum, breast m

  15. The current status of studies of human exposure assessment of microplastics and their health effects: a rapid systematic review

    Yong Min Cho, Kyung-Hwa Choi · 2021 · Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology · 36 citations

    This rapid systematic review aims to summarize studies of human exposure to microplastics (MPs) and their health effects. For the systematic literature review, we separately searched for review articles and original articles published from 2000 to 2019 in the PubMed, NDSL, KMBASE, and Cochrane databases. A total of 276 review articles and 475 original articles were independently evaluated and eligibility of each article was assessed by two researchers. Finally, 8 review articles and 13 original articles were selected for analysis. There was no standardized methodology for determining human exposure to MPs. Therefore, the size, shape, color, and chemical composition of MPs were considered as

  16. Indoor Airborne Microplastics: Human Health Importance and Effects of Air Filtration and Turbulence

    Christine C. Gaylarde, José Antonio Baptista Neto, Estefan M. da Fonseca · 2024 · Microplastics · 18 citations

    Microplastics (MPs) are omnipresent particles that receive special attention because of their persistent nature and their potential impact on human disease and on the environment. Most MPs are generated by the degradation of larger plastic items such as clothing, car tires, and discarded plastic materials. In indoor environments, where human beings spend most of their time, aerial MP levels are higher, and the majority are fibers produced from textiles. Airborne MPs indoors are a greater potential danger to humans than MPs ingested in food and drink. Fragments small enough to remain substantially suspended in the air column, the small airborne microparticles that are measured as PM10 and PM2

  17. 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

    Bhandare Saurabh Dilip · 2024 · Toxicology Research · 10 citations

    Abstract This investigation explores the various impacts that polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) have on human health. As most of the plastic materials affect human health when they release leachable toxic substances that affect human health, this causes a negative effect that determines poor health conditions and leads to health hazards associated with plastic toxins routed in the human body, such as: Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Polybrominated Biphenyls etc. The study includes micro-plastic exposure assessment on testicular structure analysis, and cytotoxicity evaluations of different human cell types. The findings clarified the possible dangers of PS-MPs exposure from food, m

  18. Microplastics and Human Health: A Comprehensive Review on Exposure Pathways, Toxicity, and Emerging Risks

    Nayak Snehamayee, Sephalika Somya, Sahoo Chinmaya Kumar, et al. · 2026 · Microplastics · 10 citations

    Microplastics (MPs) are considered to be dominant agents responsible for serious contamination in environmental and biological systems. Despite a huge increase in research on these contaminants, there are still considerable uncertainties and progress to be made on the exposure pathways of biological systems, modes of detection, and toxicity assessments. Therefore, developing a critical review of MPs is crucial due to growing evidence of their harmful effects on human health. In the current review, we aim to emphasize the potential toxic effects of MPs on different biological systems in humans, the mechanisms of their toxic effects, and gaps in our knowledge on risk assessment. Importantly, w

  22. Why Detecting Nanoplastics in Humans Matters: Exposure Routes, Biological Evidence, and Potential Health Implications

    Pushpender Kumar · 2026 · Why Detecting Nanoplastics in Humans Matters: Exposure Routes, Biological Evidence, and Potential Health Implications

    Nanoplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than one micrometre, have emerged as a growing concern in human health research. Their small size allows them to cross biological barriers and interact directly with cells and tissues. Recent studies have confirmed the presence of plastic particles in multiple human biological matrices, including blood, lung tissue, placenta, faeces, urine, vascular tissue and brain samples. These findings indicate that human exposure to nanoplastics is not merely environmental but involves internal uptake. This review summarises current evidence on routes of human exposure and biological matrices, where nanoplastics have been detected, and potential health

  23. Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Health: From Environmental Contaminants to Internal Pollutants—A Comprehensive Review of Exposure, Bioaccumulation, Toxicity Mechanisms, and Emerging Detection Technologies

    Ramesh Ganpisetti, Sanjay Giridharan, Mehmet Remzi Dokmeci, et al. · 2026 · Microplastics

    The plastic pieces of synthetic polymers, which were previously regarded as primary pollutants of the environment, are increasingly being discovered as internal pollutants of the human body. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available evidence on human exposure, tissue distribution, and associated biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics. Ingesting contaminated food and water is the major exposure pathway, with inhalation and dermal contact being secondary routes. Various organ systems have been identified as containing polymer particles through the use of advanced analytical methods, including blood, liver, lungs, placenta, breast milk, and brain tissue. Experimental

  24. Atmospheric Microplastics and Human Health: Sources, Exposure, and Risks

    Shijie Zhang · 2026 · Applied and Computational Engineering

    Atmospheric microplastics, a newly recognized category of environmental pollutants, have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their presence in the atmospheric environment. A growing body of evidence indicates that MPs are widely distributed in both indoor and outdoor air and can enter the human body through inhalation, posing potential risks to the respiratory system and overall human health. This review systematically summarizes the major sources of atmospheric MPs, their environmental distribution patterns, and their transport and fate in air. Besides, special emphasis is placed on recent advances in research on inhalable microplastic exposure levels and associated health

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