Cellular and Systemic Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Mammals—What We Know So Far

Abstract

Microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) are accumulating more and more in our environment and have been frequently detected in water and soil, but also in a variety of mainly marine organisms. Polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are those most commonly found. Once in the environment, MP/NP are carriers for many other substances, which often convey toxic effects. Even though intuitively it is thought that ingesting MP/NP cannot be healthy, little is known about their effects on mammalian cells and organisms so far. To better understand the potential hazards of MP/NP on humans and to offer an overview of the already associated pathological effects, we conducted a comprehensive literature review on cellular effects, as well as experimental animal studies on MP/NP in mammals.

Important Factors Affecting Induction of Cell Death, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage by Nano- and Microplastic Particles In Vitro

“…Approximately 90% of the total amount of plastics consists of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PCV), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [4]. Of these, polystyrene particles are the most commonly used in in vitro studie because they are commercially available from various manufacturers, such as Bangs Laboratories (Fishers, IN, USA), Kisker Biotech (Steinfurt, Germany), and Alpha Nanotech Inc. (Vancouver, BC, Canada) [5].…”