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Research papers on Microplastics and human health

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

    Kurunthachalam Kannan, Krishnamoorthi Vimalkumar · 2021 · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 578 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

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  2. 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 · 65 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 milk,

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  3. 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 · 37 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

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  4. 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 · 23 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

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  5. 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 · 11 citations

    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, medications, and common p

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  6. 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 · 4 citations

    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

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  8. Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Human Diet: Sources of Exposure, Bioavailability, Toxicokinetics, and Systemic Health Effects

    Łukasz Kogut, Czesław Puchalski, Julia Jastrzębska, et al. · 2026 · Molecules · 2 citations

    Background/Objectives: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as ubiquitous environmental contaminants resulting from the extensive production, use, and degradation of plastic materials. Human exposure occurs primarily through contaminated food and drinking water, with inhalation representing an additional important route. Growing concern has focused on the ability of these particles, particularly NPs, to cross biological barriers, enter the systemic circulation, and reach human tissues. The aim of this review was to summarize current evidence on dietary exposure to MPs and NPs, their gastrointestinal bioavailability and toxicokinetics, and their potential systemic health ef

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  11. PL3 - Human exposure to microplastics and implications for health

    Majorie van Duursen · 2026 · European Journal of Endocrinology

    The increasing production and use of plastics poses a serious threat to human endocrine health. Chemicals can leach from plastics that are know to interact with our endocrine system and have been associated with endocrine-related diseases and disorders, including subfertility and changes in age of pubertal onset. More recently, scientific and societal attention has been been directed towards micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs); small plastic particles resulting of plastic degradation. While MNPs are found everywhere in the environment, and increasing number of studies report on the occurrence in humans as well, the health impact they may have on humans remains unclear. Studies addressing human he

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  12. 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

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