Micro(nano) Plastics as Endocrine Disruptors in Human Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to the Special Issue “Micro(nano) Plastics and Estrogens as Endocrine Disruptors Meet the Female Reproductive System, Breast and Colon: What Is Going On?”.

Studies have yet to demonstrate a likely link between cancer risk and micro(nano) plastic effects on breast/the female reproductive system/colon. Bisphenols and additives, phthalates, heavy metals such as cadmium, PFAS, and flame retardants all leach from microplastics/nanoplastics. Researchers have recently reported microplastics to be potentially connected to colorectal cancer and to exacerbate breast cancer metastasis. A lot of reviews now summarize micro(nano) plastic uptake into human cells and millions of micro(nano) plastics are released during only a few minutes of food blending or environmental exposure.

There is recent evidence in the literature that micro(nano) plastics, like many other chemicals in plastics, are known show estrogen-like activity, thereby making them hormone disruptors in the body by blocking or mimicking them. Estrogen is related to the development and growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, so women should choose to limit their exposure to chemicals like plastics and estrogen in the foods and in the environment.

More work is required and we hope manuscripts submitted to this Special Issue will clarify the following:

• Cellular and molecular effects and mechanisms of exposure to endocrine-disrupting micro(nano) plastics and estrogens relative to the female reproductive system, breast, and colon.
• Novel methods for toxicity, genotoxicity, and epigenetic effect evaluation of nanomaterials and micro(nano) plastics on female normal and cancer cells, tissues, and organs.
• Biocompatible nanomaterials and micro(nano) plastics for applications in which they have no effect as endocrine disruptors.

Dr. Anna Maria Giuseppina Poma
Guest Editor

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