Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 831, P. 154907 - 154907

Published: March 30, 2022

Airborne microplastics (MPs) have been sampled globally, and their concentration is known to increase in areas of high human population activity, especially indoors. Respiratory symptoms disease following exposure occupational levels MPs within industry settings also reported. It remains be seen whether from the environment can inhaled, deposited accumulated lungs. This study analysed digested lung tissue samples (n = 13) using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation 3 μm) detect characterise any present. In total, 39 were identified 11 13 with an average 1.42 ± 1.50 MP/g (expressed as 0.69 0.84 after background subtraction adjustments). The MP significantly higher than those combined procedural/laboratory blanks 9 MPs, a mean SD 0.53 1.07, p 0.001). Of detected, 12 polymer types polypropylene, PP (23%), polyethylene terephthalate, PET (18%) resin (15%) most abundant. (unadjusted) all regions categorised upper (0.80 0.96 MP/g), middle/lingular (0.41 0.37 detected lower (3.12 1.30 MP/g) region compared (p 0.026) mid 0.038) regions. After subtracting blanks, these became 0.23 0.28, 0.33 1.65 0.88 respectively. demonstrates highest level contamination control reports unadjusted values alongside different adjustment techniques. These results support inhalation route for environmental this characterisation now inform realistic conditions laboratory experiments, aim determining health impacts.

Language: Английский

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Underestimated health risks: polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics jointly induce intestinal barrier dysfunction by ROS-mediated epithelial cell apoptosis

Particle and Fibre Toxicology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 18(1)

Published: June 7, 2021

Micro- and nanoplastic pollution has become a global environmental problem. Nanoplastics in the environment are still hard to detect because of analysis technology limitations. It is believed that when microplastics found environment, more undetected nanoplastics around. The current "microplastic exposure" fact mixture micro- exposures. Therefore, biological interaction between organisms among different sizes should not be neglected.We measured biodistribution three polystyrene (PS) particles (50 nm PS, PS50; 500 PS500; 5000 PS5000) under single co-exposure conditions mice. We explored underlying mechanisms by investigating effects on major components intestinal barrier (the mucus layer, tight junctions epithelial cells) four intestine segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum colon) amounts both PS500 PS5000 increased they were co-exposed with PS50 for 24 h These due primarily permeability mouse intestines. also confirmed there was combined toxicity This manifested as causing severe dysfunction than caused or alone. PS reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell apoptosis findings further an oxidants antioxidants pretreatment study. In addition, mice after 28-day repeated dose exposure.There intestines, which ROS-mediated Considering most recent studies have been conducted using particle size, health risks exposure may underestimated.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review

Nutrients, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 617 - 617

Published: Jan. 25, 2023

Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics, ubiquitous in nature and therefore affect both wildlife humans. They have been detected many marine species, but also drinking water numerous foods, such as salt, honey organisms. Exposure to microplastics can occur through inhaled air. Data animal studies shown once absorbed, micro- nanoparticles distribute liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidneys even brain (crosses blood–brain barrier). In addition, transport operators persistent organic pollutants or heavy metals invertebrate organisms other higher trophic levels. After ingestion, additives monomers their composition interfere with important biological processes human body cause disruption endocrine, immune system; a negative impact on mobility, reproduction development; carcinogenesis. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has affected not only health national economies environment, due large volume waste form discarded personal protective equipment. remarkable increase global use face masks, which mainly contain polypropylene, poor management led worsening microplastic pollution, long-term consequences be extremely devastating if urgent action is taken.

Language: Английский

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(Micro)plastics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30, P. 100497 - 100497

Published: April 16, 2021

Since the launch of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, SDGs have been widely adopted by governments and corporations an effort to improve their sustainability. There are 17 SDGs, comprising 169 targets, which measurable against 247 unique indicators. Despite pervasive global pollution from (micro)plastics, there is only one indicator (14.1.1b) under Goal 14, specifically related reducing impacts (micro)plastics. Reliable reporting monitoring SDG indicators present challenges for organizations implement, may be further exacerbated nature (micro)plastic if not properly monitored across these This review focused on recent literature provide a critical overview key (micro)plastics as they undermine implementation sustainable strategies action plans required achieve UN SDGs.

Language: Английский

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The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 89(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances modern civilization in fields as diverse medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for harms human health, economy, earth's environment. These occur at every stage plastic life cycle, from extraction coal, oil, gas its main feedstocks through ultimate disposal into The extent these not been systematically assessed, their magnitude fully quantified, economic costs comprehensively counted.The goals this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Human Health examine plastics' impacts across cycle on: (1) health well-being; (2) global environment, especially ocean; (3) economy; (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, world's children. On basis examination, offers science-based recommendations designed support development a Global Treaty, protect save lives.This report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents narrative review processes involved production, use, notes hazards environment associated with each stages. 3 describes ocean potential enter marine web result exposure. 4 details health. 5 first-order estimate health-related costs. 6 examines intersection between plastic, social inequity, environmental injustice. 7 Commission's findings recommendations.Plastics complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% produced fossil carbon- oil gas. comprised carbon-based polymer backbone thousands additional chemicals incorporated polymers convey specific properties such color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, ultraviolet resistance. Many added toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants endocrine disruptors phthalates, bisphenols, per- poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated retardants, organophosphate retardants. integral components many environment.Global production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) manufactured. Annual volume grown under Mt 1950 460 2019, 230-fold increase, track triple by 2060. More half all ever 2002. Single-use account 35-40% current represent rapidly growing segment manufacture.Explosive recent growth reflects deliberate pivot integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations produce manufacture plastics. reducing fuels increasing manufacture. two principal factors decreasing demand due increases 'green' energy, massive expansion fracking.Plastic energy-intensive contributes significantly climate change. At present, estimated 3.7% greenhouse emissions, contribution Brazil. This fraction projected increase 4.5% 2060 if trends continue unchecked.The three phases: disposal. In carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, oil-are transformed energy-intensive, catalytic vast array products. Plastic use occurs aspect results widespread exposure contained plastic. constitute largest portion followed fibers construction.Plastic inefficient, recovery recycling rates below 10% globally. 22 waste enters year, much it single-use gigatons accumulated 1950. Strategies controlled uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, export. Vast quantities exported year high-income low-income countries, where accumulates landfills, pollutes air water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches estuaries, health-environmental injustice scale. Plastic-laden e-waste particularly problematic.Plastics plastic-associated pollution. contaminate aquatic (marine freshwater), terrestrial, atmospheric environments destination found throughout ocean, including coastal regions, sea surface, deep sea, polar ice. appear resist breakdown could persist decades. Macro- micro-plastic particles identified hundreds species major taxa, consumed humans. Trophic transfer microplastic within them demonstrated. Although themselves (>10 µm) undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic bioaccumulate animals biomagnify webs. amounts fates smaller nanoplastic (MNPs <10 poorly understood, but harm worrying given mobility biological systems. Adverse pollution multiple levels molecular biochemical population ecosystem. MNP contamination seafood direct, though well chemicals. Marine endangers ecosystems upon which depends food, oxygen, livelihood, well-being.Coal miners, workers field who extract suffer mortality traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung cancer. risk leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast mesothelioma, neurotoxic decreased fertility. Workers producing textiles die bladder interstitial disease rates. toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, Residents "fenceline" communities adjacent sites experience risks premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood cancer.During disposal, release additives residual monomers people. National biomonitoring surveys USA document population-wide exposures disrupt function births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive defects, infertility, obesity, renal cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed degradation can living organisms, Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates may cause toxicity physical toxicological effects acting vectors transport bacterial pathogens tissues cells.Infants womb young children populations high plastic-related effects. Because exquisite sensitivity early hazardous children's unique patterns exposure, linked prematurity, stillbirth, defects organs, impairment, impaired growth, Early-life non-communicable diseases later life.Plastic's We 2015 exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, alone disability caused PBDE, BPA DEHP $920 Int$). (GHG) emissions equivalent 1.96 dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cost metric, we annual GHG be $341 Int$).These costs, large they are, certainly underestimate full losses resulting negative All costs-and costs-are externalized petrochemical manufacturing industry borne citizens, taxpayers, governments countries around world without compensation.The adverse economy evenly distributed. disproportionately affect disempowered, marginalized workers, racial ethnic communities, Indigenous groups, women, children, whom had little do creating crisis lack political influence or resources address it. Plastics' harmful keenly felt South, small island states, disenfranchised areas North. Social justice (SEJ) principles require reversal inequitable burdens ensure no group bears disproportionate share those benefit economically bear fair currently costs.It clear sustainable societal injustices.The driver worsening exponential accelerating production. further magnified long persistence environment.The plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, non-intentionally substances-include amongst number known disruptors, neurotoxicants, persistent organic pollutants. planetary leach out plastics, pollution, disease. efforts reduce must chemicals.To at-risk populations, put end 2040, supports urgent adoption nations strong comprehensive Treaty accord mandate set forth March 2022 resolution United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures needed curb because transcend national boundaries, scale, well-being people poorest nations. Effective implementation will international action coordinated complemented interventions national, regional, local levels.This urges cap targets, timetables, contributions central provision Treaty. recommend inclusion following provisions:The needs extend beyond microplastics litter plastics.The banning severely restricting unnecessary, avoidable, problematic items, items manufactured microbeads.The requirements extended producer responsibility (EPR) make producers, manufacturers products legally financially safety end-of-life management materials sell.The reductions complexity products; health-protective standards additives; requirement non-toxic materials; disclosure components; traceability components. International cooperation essential implementing enforcing standards.The SEJ remedies fill gaps community knowledge advance both distributional procedural equity.This encourages calling exploration listing least pollutants (POPs) Stockholm Convention.This interface Basel London Conventions enhance slow exports least-developed countries.This recommends creation Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body guide Treaty's implementation. priorities would Member States other stakeholders evaluating solutions effective consumption, enhancing recycling, curbing generation waste. assess trade-offs among evaluate safer alternatives monitor transnational export coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, air-based monitoring programs.This investment research crisis. need determine cost-effective context particular proposed solutions. Oceanographic better measure concentrations µm understand distribution fate Biomedical elucidate MNPs.This finds boon stealth threat enormous benefits, linear pay attention design safe near absence recovery, reuse, grave damage, injustices. worsening.While there remain about uncertainties magnitude, available today demonstrates unequivocally severity intervention Manufacture continue. However, reckless ever-increasing unnecessary products, curbed.Global against failure act immense.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in the Environment: Intake through the Food Web, Human Exposure and Toxicological Effects

Toxics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(9), P. 224 - 224

Published: Sept. 16, 2021

Recently, studies on microplastics (MPs) have increased rapidly due to the growing awareness of potential health risks related their occurrence. The first part this review is devoted MP occurrence, distribution, and quantification. MPs can be transferred from environment humans mainly through inhalation, secondly ingestion, and, a lesser extent, dermal contact. As regards food web contamination, we discuss microplastic presence not only in most investigated sources, such as seafood, drinking water, salts, but also other foods honey, sugar, milk, fruit, meat (chickens, cows, pigs). All literature data suggest not-negligible human exposure above-mentioned routes. Consequently, several research efforts been assessing risks. Initially, toxicological were conducted with aquatic organisms then experimental mammal animal models cell cultures. In latter case, effects observed at high concentrations (polystyrene common benchmark) for short time. Further must performed assess real consequences contamination low prolonged exposure.

Language: Английский

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Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 128(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2020

BACKGROUND: Microplastics (MPs) have contaminated all compartments of the marine environment including biota such as seafood; ingestion from sources is one two major uptake routes identified for human exposure.OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis levels MP contamination in seafood subsequently estimate annual uptake.METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web Science searched launch (1947, 1974, 1900, respectively) up October 2020 studies reporting content species.Mean, standard deviations, ranges MPs found collated.Studies appraised systematically using bespoke risk bias (RoB) assessment tool.RESULTS: Fifty included 19 meta-analysis.Evidence was available on four phyla: mollusks, crustaceans, fish, echinodermata.The majority reported <1 MP=g, with 26% rated having high RoB, mainly due analysis or weaknesses.Mollusks collected off coasts Asia most heavily contaminated, coinciding trends sea.According statistical summary, 0-10:5 MPs=g 0:1-8:6 0-2:9 1 MP=g echinodermata.Maximum estimated be close 55,000 particles.Statistical, sample, methodological heterogeneity high.DISCUSSION: This first review, our knowledge, assess quantify its consumption, suggesting that action must considered order reduce exposure via consumption.Further high-quality research standardized methods needed cement scientific evidence exposures.

Language: Английский

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Effects induced by polyethylene microplastics oral exposure on colon mucin release, inflammation, gut microflora composition and metabolism in mice

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 220, P. 112340 - 112340

Published: May 18, 2021

Microplastics are plastic fragments widely distributed in the environment and accumulate organisms. However, research on microplastics effects mammals is limited. Polyethylene main kind of environment. We hypothesized that polyethylene exposure disrupts host intestine metabolism by modifying microflora composition then lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pathway. Female mice were orally exposed to 0, 0.002 0.2 μg/g/d (PE MPs) for 30 days. Colon mucin density was quantized after AB-PAS staining. Mucin 2 (MUC2), inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 IL-10), short-chain fatty acid receptors (GPR41 GPR43), LPS (TLR4 MyD88) pathway downstream genes (ERK1 NF-κB) mRNA levels colon measured. Feces collected 15th day gut analysis. Blood biochemical analysis performed. Results showed PE MPs significantly decreased expression (p < 0.05), IL-1β 0.05) increased IL-10 0.01 p 0.001 respectively). Microflora data group number Firmicutes Bacteroides (both 0.01). Predicted KEGG metabolic pathways piecrust method indicated enhanced amino acids microflora. ERK1 NF-κB lower 0.001). total protein, albumin globulin 0.01, 0.05 These results indicate induced production, a slight immune response composition. release

Language: Английский

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A rapid review and meta-regression analyses of the toxicological impacts of microplastic exposure in human cells

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 427, P. 127861 - 127861

Published: Nov. 24, 2021

Language: Английский

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Microplastic in fish – A global synthesis

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(4), P. 753 - 771

Published: Sept. 20, 2021

Language: Английский

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