Search Results (203)

 Background: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as increasing environmental and public health concerns. Dentistry contributes to this exposure through polymer-based materials and personal oral care products. This review summarizes the current evidence on the sources, release mechanisms, physicochemical properties, and toxicological and biological effects of MNPs derived from dental sources and oral care products, as well as the synergistic effects of MNP oral exposure with environmental exposure. Methods: An electronic search was performed across the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify studies investigating the source, release mechanisms, physico/chemical properties, and toxicological/biological impact of MNPs related to dental materials, oral care products, and the synergic effects of MNPs oral and environmental exposure. Results: MNPs are released in the dental setting from resin-based composites, clear aligners, and prosthetic and impression materials through degradation, wear, and handling processes. Home-use products like toothpastes, toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwashes contribute to chronic oral exposure. Evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and human biomonitoring studies supports the biological activity and systemic distribution of MNPs. Despite this, clinical awareness remains limited, and regulatory oversight insufficient. Conclusions: Dentistry is both a source and vector of MNP exposure. Encouraging the use of safer, MNP-free materials, and raising awareness among dental professionals, may support more responsible and health-conscious practices. Further research and alignment with global policy strategies could help guide future innovation and risk mitigation in the dental field.  Full article

Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment and their potential health effects are of growing public interest. Regarding water, that interest grows because multiple studies found MNPs in different matrices including tap and bottled water. We intended to (i) understand how MNPs enter freshwater systems and drinkable water, (ii) assess the evidence of human exposure to MNPs in water, and (iii) identify data gaps to support the determination of potential health effects. We searched the literature and selected studies via rigorous inclusion criteria, analyzed the data assessing the reliability of findings, and identified data gaps associated with human exposure to MNPs in water. The lack of standard sampling and analytical methods for testing MNPs in water constitutes a barrier to make accurate comparisons. The diverse analytical methods to fully characterize MNPs led to different findings in samples of similar matrices. Current drinking and wastewater treatment systems are not designed to remove MNPs. However, efforts to enhance the precision and accuracy of MNPs’ characterization and their removal by treatment systems are promising. Therefore, addressing data gaps could produce reliable data for conducting exposure and risk assessments, protect our communities, and control the mobility of MNPs to minimize exposures. Full article

To investigate the effects of micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) on spinach seed germination and sprout growth, this study employed polyvinyl chloride micro-nanoplastics (PVC-MNPs) as the treatment factor. Six concentration gradients were established under two cultivation conditions—hydroponic and soil. Two spinach cultivars grown in different seasons—the winter cultivar cv. xinbofeit and the autumn cultivar cv. connaught—were evaluated for germination characteristics, sprout morphology, and antioxidant capacity. Results indicated that low to moderate PVC-MNP concentration (1–100 mg/L in hydroponics or 0.1–1.0% in soil) moderately promoted seed germination and seedling growth, with cv. Xinbofeit exhibiting stronger stress tolerance. Conversely, high concentrations (200 mg/L in hydroponic or 2.0% in soil) inhibited germination and root development in both cultivars and induced oxidative stress responses. Principal component analysis identified germination rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities as key response indicators. Significant inter-cultivar differences and cultivation method dependencies were observed: cv. xinbofeit showed higher sensitivity to elevated PVC-MNPs level, whereas cv. connaught demonstrated greater overall stress resistance. This study demonstrates that micro-nanoplastics exert a dual effect on spinach seed germination and sprout growth, with low to moderate concentrations promoting growth, while high concentrations inhibit development and induce oxidative stress. Moreover, significant differences in response were observed among different cultivars, highlighting the complex risks of micro-nanoplastics in agricultural ecosystems and their cultivar-dependent impacts. Full article

The growth in the production and use of biodegradable plastics, positioned as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polymers, has led to an increase in their distribution in the environment. However, in conditions other than industrial composting facilities, biodegradable polymers can persist for a long time, fragment, and form biodegradable micro- and nanoplastics (BioMNP) with potential toxicity. Unlike traditional microplastics, the impact of BioMNP on human health has been poorly studied. This review summarises the available data on the cytotoxicity of BioMNP, including mechanisms of interaction with human cells, routes of entry into the body, induction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular dysfunction. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of microplastics with cells of various body systems, including the digestive, respiratory, immune, and urogenital systems, as well as with the skin. The identified knowledge gaps highlight the need for further research to assess the risks associated with the impact of BioMNP on humans and to develop safer forms of biopolymers. Among biodegradable plastics, PLA-based particles tend to exhibit stronger cytotoxic effects. Nanoplastics generally induce more severe cellular responses than microplastics. Organs such as the liver and lungs appear particularly vulnerable. Full article

Plastic pollution represents a persistent global issue, with catastrophic effects on ecosystems. Due to unique properties, these synthetic materials do not break down into biodegradable compounds when naturally dispersed, but degrade into smaller fragments, known as micro- (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), that easily enter the food chain. Among plastics, polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common, whose consumption has dramatically increased in recent years for single-use packaging and surgical masks. In this context, given the widespread detection of PP-MPs and NPs in various biological matrices, investigating their toxicity in living organisms is crucial. For these reasons, this study aims to assess how PP-MPs and NPs affect tissue regeneration following injury, proposing the freshwater leech Hirudo verbana as an established experimental model. Injured leeches were examined at different time points after plastic administration, and analyses were conducted using microscopy, immunofluorescence, and molecular biology techniques. The results demonstrate that plastic exposure induces fibrosis, disrupts tissue reorganization, delays wound repair, and activates the innate immune and oxidative stress responses. In summary, this project provides new insight into the adverse effects of PP particles on living organisms, highlighting for the first time their negative impact on proper tissue regeneration. Full article

Plastics have become integral to modern life; however, their widespread use and persistent nature have resulted in significant environmental contamination, especially by microplastics (MPs < 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs < 100 nm). These plastic particles can enter the human body via ingestion, inhalation, or dermal absorption, raising substantial concerns about their potential health impacts. Recent studies using zebrafish, rodent models, and human cell lines have begun to elucidate the mechanisms underlying micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs)-induced toxicity. These mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, disruption of metabolic processes, neurotoxicity, reproductive dysfunction, and carcinogenicity. Despite these advances, significant knowledge gaps remain. There remains a lack of comprehensive reviews that systematically evaluate these effects across major human organ systems and address how MNPs cross biological barriers in the human body. This review addresses these gaps by summarizing the available evidence on MNPs’ toxicity, critically discussing their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and the associated cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it outlines urgent research priorities, emphasizing the need for standardized analytical protocols, realistic exposure models, and extended epidemiological research to evaluate human health risks posed by MNPs accurately. In addition, the adoption of precautionary regulatory actions is recommended to mitigate exposure and safeguard public health. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) can affect microbial abundance and activity, likely by damaging cell membrane components. While their effects on anaerobic digestion are known, less is understood about their impact on microbes involved in contaminant bioremediation. Chlorinated volatile organic contaminants (CVOCs) such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and explosives like hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) are common in the environment, and their bioremediation is a promising cleanup strategy. This study examined how polystyrene (PS) and polyamide 6 (PA6) MPs and NPs influence CVOC and RDX biodegradation. PS particles did not inhibit the CVOC-degrading community SDC-9, but PA6 MPs impaired the reductive dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE) to cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE), causing a “cis-DCE stall” with no further conversion to vinyl chloride (VC) or ethene. Only 45% of TCE was dechlorinated to cis-DCE, and Dehalococcoides mccartyi abundance dropped 1000-fold in 35 days with PA6 MPs. In contrast, neither PA6 nor PS MPs and NPs affected RDX biotransformation. These results highlight the significant impact of PA6 MPs on CVOC biodegradation and the need to consider plastic pollution in environmental management. Full article

This review synthesized the current knowledge on the effect of TiO₂ photocatalysts on the degradation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) under visible light, highlighting the state-of-the-art techniques, main challenges, and proposed solutions for enhancing the performance of the photocatalysis technique. The synthesis of TiO₂-based photocatalysts and hybrid nanostructured TiO₂ materials, including those coupled with other semiconductor materials, is explored. Studies on TiO₂-based photocatalysts for the degradation of MPs and NPs under visible light remain limited. The degradation behavior is influenced by the composition of the TiO₂ composites and the nature of different types of MPs/NPs. Polystyrene (PS) MPs demonstrated complete degradation under visible light photocatalysis in the presence of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoflowers integrated into a TiO₂ film with a hierarchical structure. However, photocatalysis generally fails to achieve the full degradation of small plastic pollutants at the laboratory scale, and its overall effectiveness in breaking down MPs and NPs remains comparatively limited. Full article

Plastic pollution has recently become a serious environmental problem, since the continuous increase in plastic production and use has generated enormous amounts of plastic waste that decomposes to form micro- and nanoparticles (MPs/NPs). Recent evidence suggests that nanoplastics may be potent toxins because they are able to freely cross biological barriers, posing health risks, particularly to developing organisms. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the toxic potential of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on the jejunum of immature rats. Two-week-old animals were orally exposed to environmentally relevant dose of small PS-NPs (1 mg/kg b.w.; 25 nm) for 3 weeks. We detected a significant accumulation of PS-NPs in the epithelium and subepithelial layer of the intestine, which resulted in significant changes in the expression of genes related to gut barrier integrity, nutrient absorption, and endocrine function. Moreover, increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines was observed together with decreased antioxidant capacity and increased markers of oxidative damage to proteins. Additionally, in the jejunal extracts of exposed rats, we also noted changes in the metabolite profile, mainly amino acids involved in molecular pathways related to cellular energy, inflammation, the intestinal barrier, and protein synthesis, which were consistent with the observed molecular markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Taken together, the results of the metabolomic, molecular, and biochemical analyses indicate that prolonged exposure to PS-NPs may disrupt the proper function of the intestine of developing organisms. Full article

Micro/nanoplastics (MNP) and endotoxin, typical emerging contaminants, can be found in marine aqueous systems due to various natural and anthropogenic activities, and their co-occurrence may influence the biophysicochemical characteristics of seawater. Moreover, endotoxins may be transported by the micro/nanoplastics or increase the deformation of these substances, comprising other risks to the ecosystem. However, the impacts of the co-occurrence of micro/nanoplastics and endotoxins in seawater remain unknown. We studied the effects of endotoxin at three concentration levels in seawater and its combined impact with micro/nanoplastics at three doses on biophysicochemical processes in seawater through spectroscopic analysis, leaching indicators (turbidity and humidification index), oxidative potential, antioxidant activity, and biofilm production. The results showed that the UV–VIS spectra of seawater changed with their co-occurrence. The co-presence of MNPs and endotoxins increased the turbidity in seawater, indicating the leaching of micro/nanoplastic in the presence of endotoxins. A higher humification index in seawater showed the formation of dissolved organic substances in micro/nanoplastic and endotoxin seawater compared to the results for untreated seawater. Dithioerythritol assay revealed the differences in oxidative potentials of plain seawater and seawater in the co-presence of micro/nanoplastics and endotoxins. An important biochemical reaction in seawater was tested using biofilm formation. The results showed higher biofilm formation in their co-presence. This study provides new insights into the effects of micro/nanoplastics and their composite pollution with endotoxins on biophysiochemical indicators in seawater. Full article

Micro- and Nanoplastic (MNP) pollution is an emerging challenge globally, posing a significant threat to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. This review critically examines the sources, exposure routes, and impact of plastics, with particular focus on implications for the livestock sector. MNPs enter animals’ bodies primarily through ingestion of contaminated feed and water, inhalation, and dermal exposure, subsequently accumulating in various organs, disrupting physiological functions. Notably, MNPs facilitate the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), exacerbating the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In agricultural environments, sources such as organic fertilizers, wastewater irrigation systems, surface runoff, and littering contribute to soil contamination, adversely affecting plant growth and soil health, which in turn compromises feed quality and ultimately animals’ productivity. This review synthesizes current evidence demonstrating how MNP exposure impairs animal production, reproduction, and survival, and highlights the interconnected risks to food safety and ecosystem health. The findings call for the urgent need for comprehensive research under controlled conditions to underscore the fine details regarding mechanisms of MNP toxicity and to inform effective mitigation strategies. Addressing MNP pollution is crucial for safeguarding animal health, ensuring sustainable livestock production, and promoting environmental sustainability and integrity. Full article

Although microplastic pollution has been recognized as one of the major environmental challenges of the 21st century, its toxicological impact on crops, especially vegetables, has attracted limited scientific attention until recently. Vegetables represent a key component of the human diet, making any potential contamination of great importance for food safety. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have been conducted to investigate the interactions between microplastics and vegetable crops. This review aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the sources of microplastics in agroecosystems, the mechanisms of uptake and translocation in plants, and the physiological and biochemical responses induced by micro- and nanoplastics. This work aims to improve the scientific basis for assessing the risk of microplastic contamination by identifying gaps in current understanding and suggesting future research directions. Full article

The integration of waste plastics into pavement materials offers a dual benefit of enhancing road performance and mitigating the environmental burden of plastic waste. This review critically examines the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating waste plastics in pavement construction, with an emphasis on their impact on the mechanical properties, durability, and life cycle performance of pavements. Special attention is given to the environmental implications, particularly the potential generation and release of micro- and nano-plastics during the pavement life cycle. This paper further evaluates current monitoring and analytical methodologies for detecting plastic emissions from road surfaces and explores emerging approaches for minimizing environmental risks. By providing a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge, this review seeks to support sustainable practices and inform policy development within the frameworks of circular economy and environmental stewardship. Full article

This paper suggests a perspective-controlled solution for an integrated Infrared micro-/nanoplastic spectroscopy/photometry-based detection, from the diffraction up to the geometry etendue, with the aim of yielding a universal spectrometer/photometer. Spectrophotometry, unlike spectroscopy that shows the interaction between matter and radiated energy, is a specific form of photometry that measures light parameters in a particular range as a function of wavelength. The solution, meant for diffraction grating and geometry etendue of the display unit, is provided by a controller that tunes the grating pitch to accommodate any emitted/transmitted wavelength from a sample made of microplastics, their degraded forms and their potential retention, and ensures that all the diffracted wavelengths are concentrated on the required etendue. The purpose is not only to go below the current Infrared limit of $20\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ microplastic size, or to suggest an Infrared spectrophotometry geometry capable of detecting micro- and nanoplastics in the range of ($1\mathrm{nm}$–$20\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$) for integrated nano- and micro-scales, but also to transform most of the pivotal components to be directly wavelength-independent. The related controlled geometry solutions, from the controlled grating slit-width up to the controlled display unit etendue functions, are suggested for a wider generic range integration. The results from image-size characterization show that the following charge-coupled devices, nanopixel CCDs, and/or micropixel CCDs of less than $100\mathrm{nm}$ are required on the display unit, justifying the Infrared micro- and nanoplastic-integrated spectrophotometry, and the investigation conducted with other electromagnetic spectrum ranges that suggests a possible universal spectrometer/photometer. Full article

Nanomaterials (NMs) are currently widely used in a wide range of industrial production and scientific applications, starting from molecular and medical diagnostics to agriculture. In the agricultural and food systems, NMs are now used in various ways, to improve the nutritional value of crops, detect microbial activity and inhibit biofilms, encapsulate and deliver pesticides, protect plants from chemical spoilage, as nanosensors and more. Despite these applications, NMs are described as “dual-face technologies”: they can also act as environmental contaminants. For instance, nanoplastics (NPs) dispersed in the environment can damage plants at different levels and undermine their viability. Epigenetic modifications induced by NMs have potentially wider and longer-term impacts on gene expression and plant functions. Therefore, it is important to verify whether plants are also affected by NMs on the molecular level, including epigenetic mechanisms and any induced variation on the epigenome. This review focusses on gene expression modulation and epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation and the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) induced in plants and crops by NMs and NPs. Full article