The
accelerated
ocean
and
land
accumulation
of
plastics
the
ease
uptake
physiological
absorption
through
inconspicuous
ingestion
poses
a
significant
human
health
risk
due
to
environmental
microplastic
exposure.
Although
systemic
deposition
microplastics
into
major
organs
vertebrates
has
been
well-established,
neurophysiological
implication
nano-sized
plastic
particulate
contamination
remains
largely
elusive.
In
this
study,
we
examined
effect
nanoplastic
exposure
on
neurological
function
zebrafish
(Danio
rerio).
Prominent
fluorescence
signals
were
observed
in
brain
vasculatures
exposed
fluorescence-labelled
50
nm
polystyrene
nano-size
(PS-NP),
which
correlated
with
abnormal
swimming
behavior.
Whole
transcriptomic
analysis
revealed
downregulation
extracellular
matrix
(ECM)
components
such
as
collagen,
laminin,
keratin,
an
enhanced
expression
genes
involved
necroptosis
pathways.
Our
data
suggest
potential
pathophysiological
impact
prolonged
PS-NP
brain.
Brain Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(5), P. 471 - 471
Published: May 7, 2024
Plastic
production,
which
exceeds
one
million
tons
per
year,
is
of
global
concern.
The
constituent
low-density
polymers
enable
spread
over
large
distances
and
micro/nano
particles
(MNPLs)
induce
organ
toxicity
via
digestion,
inhalation,
skin
contact.
Particles
have
been
documented
in
all
human
tissues
including
breast
milk.
MNPLs,
especially
weathered
particles,
can
breach
the
blood–brain
barrier,
inducing
neurotoxicity.
This
has
non-human
species,
human-induced
pluripotent
stem
cell
lines.
Within
brain,
MNPLs
initiate
an
inflammatory
response
with
pro-inflammatory
cytokine
oxidative
stress
generation
reactive
oxygen
mitochondrial
dysfunction.
Glutamate
GABA
neurotransmitter
dysfunction
also
ensues
alteration
excitatory/inhibitory
balance
favor
reduced
inhibition
resultant
neuro-excitation.
Inflammation
cortical
hyperexcitability
are
key
abnormalities
involved
pathogenic
cascade
amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis
(ALS)
intricately
related
to
mislocalization
aggregation
TDP-43,
a
hallmark
ALS.
Water
many
foods
contain
humans,
ingestion
main
form
exposure.
Digestion
plastics
within
gut
alter
their
properties,
rendering
them
more
toxic,
they
cause
microbiome
dysbiosis
dysfunctional
gut–brain
axis.
recognized
as
trigger
and/or
aggravating
factor
for
ALS
associated
long
(years
or
decades)
preclinical
period
neonates
infants
exposed
through
milk,
milk
substitutes,
toys.
endangers
time
intense
neurogenesis
establishment
neuronal
circuitry,
setting
stage
development
neurodegeneration
later
life.
MNPL
neurotoxicity
should
be
considered
yet
unrecognized
risk
diseases.
Sustainability,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(19), P. 8704 - 8704
Published: Oct. 9, 2024
With
nearly
40%
of
the
total
plastics
produced
being
used
for
packaging,
up
to
five
trillion
plastic
bags
are
consumed
in
world
annually.
The
inadequate
disposal
waste
and
its
persistence
has
become
a
serious
challenge/risk
environment,
health,
well-being
living
creatures,
including
humans.
natural
degradation
is
extremely
slow;
large
pieces
may
break
down
into
microplastics
(MPs)
(1
μm–5
mm)
or
nanoplastics
(NPs)
(<1000
nm)
after
protracted
physical,
chemical,
and/or
biological
degradations.
A
brief
overview
transport
micro-
aquatic,
terrestrial,
atmospheric
environments
presented.
Details
provided
on
exposure
routes
these
materials
their
entry
humans
other
biota
through
ingestion,
inhalation,
dermal
contact.
greatest
concern
cumulative
impact
heterogeneous
secondary
MPs
NPs
planetary
human
health.
Inhaled
have
been
shown
affect
upper
respiratory
tract,
lower
alveoli;
prolonged
can
lead
chronic
inflammatory
changes
systemic
disease.
These
also
autoimmune
diseases
health
conditions,
atherosclerosis
malignancy.
Sustainable
mitigation
strategies
reduce
MPs/NPs
include
source
reduction,
material
substitution,
filtration
purification,
transformation
value-added
materials,
technological
innovations,
etc.
Multidisciplinary
collaborations
across
fields
medicine,
public
environmental
science,
economics,
policy
required
help
limit
detrimental
effects
widespread
environment.
Water,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
17(7), P. 916 - 916
Published: March 21, 2025
Microplastic
contamination
is
rapidly
becoming
an
increasingly
worrying
environmental
problem
and
poses
a
real
threat
to
marine
ecosystems
human
health.
The
aim
of
this
research
was
conduct
traditional
review
the
current
state
art
regarding
sources
MPs
in
environment,
including
assessment
their
toxic
effect
on
organisms
transfer
within
food
webs
up
humans.
An
extensive
literature
search
(from
1
January
2024
15
February
2025)
yielded
total
1027
primary
articles
topic.
This
overview
revealed
that
can
be
ingested
by
organisms,
migrate
through
intestinal
wall,
spread
other
organs.
They
biomagnify
along
chain
carriers
chemicals
pathogen
agents.
Exposure
lead
several
risks,
tissue
damage,
oxidative
stress,
changes
immune-related
gene
expression,
neurotoxicity,
growth
retardation,
behavioural
abnormalities.
toxicity
depends
mainly
particle
size
distribution
composition/characteristics
polymer.
main
routes
exposure
have
been
identified
as
ingestion
(mainly
seafood),
inhalation,
dermal
exposure.
There
strong
evidence
seafood
MPs,
which
pose
potential
risk
study
provides
basis
for
assessing
MPs’
health
impacts.
