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Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Cheryl Qian Ying Yong

    (Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore)

  • Suresh Valiyaveettil

    (Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore)

  • Bor Luen Tang

    (Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
    NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore)

Abstract

Fragmented or otherwise miniaturized plastic materials in the form of micro- or nanoplastics have been of nagging environmental concern. Perturbation of organismal physiology and behavior by micro- and nanoplastics have been widely documented for marine invertebrates. Some of these effects are also manifested by larger marine vertebrates such as fishes. More recently, possible effects of micro- and nanoplastics on mammalian gut microbiota as well as host cellular and metabolic toxicity have been reported in mouse models. Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics occurs largely through ingestion, as these are found in food or derived from food packaging, but also in a less well-defined manner though inhalation. The pathophysiological consequences of acute and chronic micro- and nanoplastics exposure in the mammalian system, particularly humans, are yet unclear. In this review, we focus on the recent findings related to the potential toxicity and detrimental effects of micro- and nanoplastics as demonstrated in mouse models as well as human cell lines. The prevailing data suggest that micro- and nanoplastics accumulation in mammalian and human tissues would likely have negative, yet unclear long-term consequences. There is a need for cellular and systemic toxicity due to micro- and nanoplastics to be better illuminated, and the underlying mechanisms defined by further work.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheryl Qian Ying Yong & Suresh Valiyaveettil & Bor Luen Tang, 2020. "Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1509-:d:325426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linn Sgier & Remo Freimann & Anze Zupanic & Alexandra Kroll, 2016. "Flow cytometry combined with viSNE for the analysis of microbial biofilms and detection of microplastics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ren-Shou Yu & Sher Singh, 2023. "Microplastic Pollution: Threats and Impacts on Global Marine Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Jung-Hwan Kwon & Jin-Woo Kim & Thanh Dat Pham & Abhrajyoti Tarafdar & Soonki Hong & Sa-Ho Chun & Sang-Hwa Lee & Da-Young Kang & Ju-Yang Kim & Su-Bin Kim & Jaehak Jung, 2020. "Microplastics in Food: A Review on Analytical Methods and Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Isabella Gambino & Francesco Bagordo & Tiziana Grassi & Alessandra Panico & Antonella De Donno, 2022. "Occurrence of Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water: Current Knowledge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Tao Liu & Baolian Hou & Yecui Zhang & Zhiping Wang, 2022. "Determination of Biological and Molecular Attributes Related to Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Reproductive Toxicity and Its Reversibility in Male Mice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Anni Li & Yijie Sheng & Haiyang Cui & Minghui Wang & Luxuan Wu & Yibo Song & Rongrong Yang & Xiujuan Li & He Huang, 2023. "Discovery and mechanism-guided engineering of BHET hydrolases for improved PET recycling and upcycling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Adeleye Ayoade Adeniran & Winston Shakantu, 2022. "The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, January.
    7. Eun-Hi Choi & Hyunjin Lee & Mi-Jung Kang & Inwoo Nam & Hui-Kyeong Moon & Ji-Won Sung & Jae-Yun Eu & Hae-Bin Lee, 2022. "Factors Affecting Zero-Waste Behaviours of College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-11, August.
    8. Andreas Brachner & Despina Fragouli & Iola F. Duarte & Patricia M. A. Farias & Sofia Dembski & Manosij Ghosh & Ivan Barisic & Daniela Zdzieblo & Jeroen Vanoirbeek & Philipp Schwabl & Winfried Neuhaus, 2020. "Assessment of Human Health Risks Posed by Nano-and Microplastics Is Currently Not Feasible," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-10, November.
    9. Jolanta Dąbrowska & Marcin Sobota & Małgorzata Świąder & Paweł Borowski & Andrzej Moryl & Radosław Stodolak & Ewa Kucharczak & Zofia Zięba & Jan K. Kazak, 2021. "Marine Waste—Sources, Fate, Risks, Challenges and Research Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-17, January.
    10. Stefania D'Angelo & Rosaria Meccariello, 2021. "Microplastics: A Threat for Male Fertility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
    11. Suna Ozden Celik, 2023. "The Release Potential of Microplastics from Face Masks into the Aquatic Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-15, September.
    12. Shampa Ghosh & Jitendra Kumar Sinha & Soumya Ghosh & Kshitij Vashisth & Sungsoo Han & Rakesh Bhaskar, 2023. "Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to the Global Environment and Human Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.

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