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Microplastic migration and change pathways and exposure health … Research on microplastic toxicity has primarily utilized marine organisms, rodents, zebrafish, and other model organisms for relatively short exposure periods. Direct studies on the human toxicity of microplastics are limited. toxicity mechanisms for humans are largely inferred from studies on these model organisms.URL: [ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749125000739)
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Microplastics as an Emerging Potential Threat: Toxicity, Life Cycle … The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has become a meaningful environmental concern in recent years. Because of their slow rate of disposal, mps are ubiquitous in the surroundings. As a result of indiscriminate use, landfill deposits, and inadequate recycling methods, MP production and environmental accumulation are expanding at an alarming rate …
URL: [MDPI](https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/909)
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The Microplastics Cycle: An in-Depth Look at a Complex Topic – MDPI Microplastics,or plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size,have become ubiquitous in the environment,found in places ranging from remote deep ocean trenches to minute dust particulates. From the breakdown of larger plastic products and the release of synthetic clothing fibers, these particles en…d Advanced Materials Centre at Environmental Occupational HealthSciences Institute at Rutgers University and senior author of both studies
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The relationship, moreover, worked both ways: The presence of these environmental pollutants also substantially increased the amount of plastic absorbed by the intestinal tissue, with plastic uptake roughly doubling when toxins were present.
Micro and nanoplastics come from the slow breakdown of larger pieces of plastic in the environment.
“Even if we stop today producing plastics or using plastics, we have plenty of plastic waste sadly out there,” Demokritou said.
“We need to stick with the ‘three-R’ waste hierarchy – reduce the use of plastics, reuse,,” Demokritou said.”For areas where you cannot apply these three Rs, like in agriculture where so much plastic is used for weed control and other things, use biodegradable plastics.”
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Source:
Journal reference:
Bui, T. H., et al. (2025). Micro-nanoscale polystyrene co-exposure impacts the uptake and translocation of arsenic and boscalid by lettuce (Lactuca sativa). NanoImpact. doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2025.100541.
Microplastics: An Emerging Health Concern and Environmental Threat
Table of Contents
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have permeated our environment, posing significant threats to both human health and ecosystems. Recent research highlights the potential toxicity and widespread presence of these particles, necessitating urgent attention and action.
Interview with Dr. Lefteri Z. Demokritou
Editor: Today, we have with us Dr. Lefteri Z. Demokritou, a distinguished expert from the Advanced Materials Centre at Environmental Occupational Health Sciences Institute at Rutgers University. Dr. demokritou is the senior author of several groundbreaking studies on microplastics. Welcome, dr. Demokritou!
Microplastic Toxicity: What We Know and What We don’t
editor: Dr. demokritou, your research has examined the toxicity of microplastics. Could you share some insights into what we currently know and what remains uncertain?
Dr. Demokritou: Certainly. Much of the research on microplastic toxicity has been conducted using model organisms like marine creatures, rodents, and zebrafish. While these studies have provided valuable insights, direct studies on human toxicity are limited. We largely infer human toxicity mechanisms from these model organisms, but more research is needed to fully understand the implications for humans.
The Ubiquity of Microplastics in Our Environment
Editor: Microplastics are found everywhere, from deep ocean trenches to minute dust particulates. How did we reach this point,and what are the primary sources of these particles?
Dr. Demokritou: The pervasiveness of microplastics in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is a significant concern. These particles originate from the breakdown of larger plastic products and the release of synthetic clothing fibers.Due to their slow rate of disposal and inadequate recycling methods, microplastics are ubiquitous in our surroundings. Indiscriminate use and improper waste management have led to an alarming expansion of microplastic production and environmental accumulation.
Interactions with Environmental Pollutants
Editor: Your studies also explore the interaction between microplastics and environmental pollutants. Could you explain how these interactions affect plastic absorption and translocation?
Dr. Demokritou: Indeed, our research has shown that the presence of environmental pollutants can substantially increase the amount of plastic absorbed by intestinal tissue.This relationship is bidirectional; plastic uptake roughly doubles when toxins are present. Micro and nanoplastics come from the slow breakdown of larger pieces of plastic in the environment, making this interaction particularly concerning.
The Future of Plastic Waste Management
Editor: Given the current state of plastic waste, what steps can we take to mitigate the problem?
Dr. demokritou: Even if we stop producing and using plastics today,we still have a significant amount of plastic waste in our environment. We need to adhere to the ‘three-R’ waste hierarchy: reduce the use of plastics,reuse them,and recycle were possible. For areas where these measures are not feasible, like in agriculture, we should opt for biodegradable plastics. These steps are crucial for managing and reducing the impact of microplastics.
Concluding Thoughts
Editor: Dr. Demokritou, what are the main takeaways from our discussion today?
Dr. Demokritou: The main takeaways are the ubiquity of microplastics and the urgent need for thorough research and action. we must continue to study the toxicity of microplastics and their interactions with environmental pollutants. Simultaneously, we must implement effective waste management strategies to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Demokritou, for sharing your expertise and insights on this critical issue.
Dr. Demokritou: Thank you for having me.
Source:
Journal reference:
Bui, T. H., et al. (2025). Micro-nanoscale polystyrene co-exposure impacts the uptake and translocation of arsenic and boscalid by lettuce (Lactuca sativa).NanoImpact. doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2025.100541.
