Human Exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics: Trans-Barrier Transport, Tissue Accumulation, and Health Risks.
- 1Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
- 2State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China.
- 3University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) as emerging pollutant are widespread in the environment. MNPs have been widely detected in human samples, with reported concentrations in human brain tissue reaching 298.5-47,730 μg/g. Furthermore, several clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that human exposure to MNPs may be associated with adverse health outcomes. These findings have raised growing concerns about the potential health risks of MNPs. This review summarizes current knowledge on the exposure pathways, occurrence and distribution, trans-barrier transport, toxicity, and health risks of MNPs in humans. Studies indicate the primary exposure pathways of MNPs to human including ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact, as well as direct exposure via intravenous injection and surgery. Moreover, MNPs can traverse multiple biological barriers such as intestinal barrier, blood-alveolar barrier, placental barrier, blood-testis barrier, and blood-brain barrier, resulting in accumulation in various tissues. Studies in vivo and in vitro demonstrate that MNPs cause multiple toxic effects. Notably, this review provides an integrated perspective on the continuous biological cascade from external exposure through internal processes to adverse health outcomes. In addition, we point out that future research should focus on improving identification techniques, performing long-term low-dose exposure assessments, and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.
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BibTeX
@article{xia2026human,
title = {{Human Exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics: Trans-Barrier Transport, Tissue Accumulation, and Health Risks.}},
author = {Honghuan Xia and Yue Li and Fengbang Wang and Gang Li and Zhiqiang Tan and Maoyong Song},
journal = {Environment \& health (Washington, D.C.)},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1021/envhealth.6c00122},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903707},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Human Exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics: Trans-Barrier Transport, Tissue Accumulation, and Health Risks.
AU - Honghuan Xia
AU - Yue Li
AU - Fengbang Wang
AU - Gang Li
AU - Zhiqiang Tan
AU - Maoyong Song
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/12
JO - Environment & health (Washington, D.C.)
DO - 10.1021/envhealth.6c00122
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903707
AB - Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) as emerging pollutant are widespread in the environment. MNPs have been widely detected in human samples, with reported concentrations in human brain tissue reaching 298.5-47,730 μg/g. Furthermore, several clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that human exposure to MNPs may be associated with adverse health outcomes. These findings have raised growing concerns about the potential health risks of MNPs. This review summarizes current knowledge on the exposure pathways, occurrence and distribution, trans-barrier transport, toxicity, and health risks of MNPs in humans. Studies indicate the primary exposure pathways of MNPs to human including ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact, as well as direct exposure via intravenous injection and surgery. Moreover, MNPs can traverse multiple biological barriers such as intestinal barrier, blood-alveolar barrier, placental barrier, blood-testis barrier, and blood-brain barrier, resulting in accumulation in various tissues. Studies in vivo and in vitro demonstrate that MNPs cause multiple toxic effects. Notably, this review provides an integrated perspective on the continuous biological cascade from external exposure through internal processes to adverse health outcomes. In addition, we point out that future research should focus on improving identification techniques, performing long-term low-dose exposure assessments, and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.
SN - 2833-8278
ER -