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Research papers on Microplastics and human health

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  2. 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 · 948 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

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  3. 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 · 746 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

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

    Kurunthachalam Kannan, Krishnamoorthi Vimalkumar · 2021 · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 570 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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  7. Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review

    Nicholas Chartres, Courtney Cooper, Garret D. Bland, et al. · 2024 · Environmental Science & Technology · 166 citations

    High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants for which there are documented human exposures, but there is a paucity of research evaluating their impacts on human health. We conducted a rapid systematic review using the “Navigation Guide” systematic review method. We searched four databases in July 2022 and April 2024 with no restriction on the date. We included studies using predefined eligibility criteria that quantitatively examined the association of microplastic exposure with any health outcomes. We amended the eligibility criteria after screening studies and prioritized digestive, reproductive, and respiratory outcomes for fu

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  8. Microplastics in food: scoping review on health effects, occurrence, and human exposure

    Božidar Udovički, Mirjana Andjelković, Tanja Ćirković Veličković, et al. · 2022 · International Journal of Food Contamination · 117 citations

    Abstract With most of the plastics ever produced now being waste, slowly degrading and fragmenting in the environment, microplastics (MPs) have become an emerging concern regarding their presence in food and influence on human health. While many studies on marine ecotoxicology and the occurrence of MPs in fish and shellfish exist, research on the occurrence of MPs in other foods and their effect on human health is still in early-stage, but the attention is increasing. This review aimed to provide relevant information on the possible health effect of ingested MPs, the occurrence, and levels of MPs contamination in various foods and estimated exposure to MPs through food. Potential toxic conse

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  9. 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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  10. 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 · 45 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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  11. Microplastics in human body: a narrative on routes of exposure to contamination and potential health effects

    Monireh Nouri, Tooraj Massahi, Hooshyar Hossini · 2025 · Environmental Pollutants and Bioavailability · 28 citations

    Microplastics (MPs) pollution has emerged as a significant global environmental concern, with these particles being detected across diverse ecosystems and infiltrating the food chain, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health. In recent years, studies have increasingly focused on understanding the possible harmful effects of MPs exposure on the human body. This review seeks to offer a detailed examination of the main pathways through which humans are exposed to MPs pollution. MPs, upon entering the human body, have been shown to move through various tissues and organs. Studies show that they can reach the liver, heart, lungs, and some other organs. Researchers have detect

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  13. 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 · 22 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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  14. 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 · 21 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

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  15. 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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  16. 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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  18. 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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  21. Environmental exposure to microplastics: a scoping review on human health effects

    O. Yadav, M. Rahman, Atanu Sarkar · 2020 · ISEE Conference Abstracts

    Background: Microplastics are omnipresent environmental contaminants leading to unavoidable human exposure. However, little is known about the health effects of microplastics exposure on humans. This review explored the existing evidence for the potential adverse effects of microplastics and research gaps. Methods: An electronic search of published articles was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar using a combination of subject heading and text word terms for microplastics and human health effects with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Letters, comments or notes, conference abstracts, and editorials were excluded. Additional keywords were devel

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  22. 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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