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Pomata D, La Nasa J, Biale G, Barlucchi L, Ceccarini A, Di Filippo P, Riccardi C, Buiarelli F, Modugno F, Simonetti G. Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:173031. [PMID: 38723961 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The widespread extensive use of synthetic polymers has led to a substantial environmental crisis caused by plastic pollution, with microplastics detected in various environments and posing risks to both human health and ecosystems. The possibility of plastic fragments to be dispersed in the air as particles and inhaled by humans may cause damage to the respiratory and other body systems. Therefore, there is a particular need to study microplastics as air pollutants. In this study, we tested a combination of analytical pyrolysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify both microplastics and their additives in airborne particulate matter and settled dust within a workplace environment: a WEEE treatment plant. Using this combined approach, we were able to accurately quantify ten synthetic polymers and eight classes of polymer additives. The identified additives include phthalates, adipates, citrates, sebacates, trimellitates, benzoates, organophosphates, and newly developed brominated flame retardants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Pomata
- DIT, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo La Nasa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy; CISUP Centre for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Greta Biale
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Ceccarini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy; CISUP Centre for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Riccardi
- DIT, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Modugno
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy; CISUP Centre for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonetti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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2
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Xu H, Dong C, Yu Z, Ozaki Y, Hu Z, Zhang B, Yao W, Yu J, Xie Y. Detection and analysis of microplastics in tissues and blood of human cervical cancer patients. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119498. [PMID: 38942254 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) can enter the reproductive system and can be potentially harmful to human reproductive health. In this study, 13 types of microplastics (MPs) were identified in patient blood, cancer samples, and paracarcinoma samples using Raman spectroscopy, with polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene-co-polypropylene being the most abundant polymer types. Futher, cotton was also found in our study. The diversity and abundance of MPs were higher in blood samples than in cancerous tissues, and there was a significant positive correlation between diversity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the diversity and abundance of MPs in cancerous tissues were higher than in paracancerous tissues. The dimensional sizes of MPs in these samples were also very similar, with the majority of detected MPs being smaller in size. Correlation analysis showed that patient's age correlated with the abundance of MPs in blood samples, body mass index (BMI) correlated with the abundance of MPs in cancerous tissues. Notably, the frequency with which patients consume bottled water and beverages may also increase the abundance of MPs. This study identifies for the first time the presence of MPs and cotton in cancerous and paracancerous tissues of human cervical cancer patients. This provides new ideas and basic data to study the risk relationship between MP exposure and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chunlin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China; Wuxi Medical College, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhilong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yukihiro Ozaki
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1330, Japan
| | - Zhenyang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Weirong Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jinjin Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yunfei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Li Y, Chen L, Zhou N, Chen Y, Ling Z, Xiang P. Microplastics in the human body: A comprehensive review of exposure, distribution, migration mechanisms, and toxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174215. [PMID: 38914339 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive across ecosystems, presenting substantial risks to human health. Developing a comprehensive review of MPs is crucial due to the growing evidence of their widespread presence and potential harmful effects. Despite the growth in research, considerable uncertainties persist regarding their transport dynamics, prevalence, toxicological impacts, and the potential long-term health effects they may cause. This review thoroughly evaluates recent advancements in research on MPs and their implications for human health, including estimations of human exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. It also quantifies the distribution and accumulation of MPs in various organs and tissues. The review discusses the mechanisms enabling MPs to cross biological barriers and the role of particle size in their translocation. To ensure methodological rigor, this review adheres to the PRISMA guidelines, explicitly detailing the literature search strategy, inclusion criteria, and the quality assessment of selected studies. The review concludes that MPs pose significant toxicological risks, identifies critical gaps in current knowledge, and recommends future research directions to elucidate the prolonged effects of MPs on human health. This work aims to offer a scientific framework for mitigating MP-related hazards and establishes a foundation for ongoing investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Liping Chen
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Nonglin Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Yuyuan Chen
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Zhichen Ling
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China.
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Liu P, Shao L, Zhang Y, Silvonen V, Oswin H, Cao Y, Guo Z, Ma X, Morawska L. Comparative study on physicochemical characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in winter in inland and coastal megacities: A case of Beijing and Shanghai, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169308. [PMID: 38101632 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have received global attention across various sectors of society due to their potential negative impacts. This study aims to understand the physicochemical characteristics of MPs in inland and coastal megacities for raising awareness about the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution. Laser Direct Infrared Imaging (LDIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) techniques were employed to characterize atmospheric MPs in megacities (inland megacity Beijing and coastal megacity Shanghai) in China, focusing on their physicochemical characteristics, including compositional types, number concentration, morphology, size, possible sources, and potential health risks. The LDIR analysis identified sixteen different types of MPs present in the atmospheres of Beijing and Shanghai. The number concentration of atmospheric MPs in Beijing (3.0 items/m3) is 1.8 times that of Shanghai (1.7 items/m3). The study found that the variations in MP pollution between Beijing and Shanghai are influenced by the urban industrial structure and geographical location. Morphological analysis indicates that fragment MPs have the highest relative abundance in Beijing, while fibrous MPs dominate the atmosphere of Shanghai. Additionally, the study assessed the potential health risks of atmospheric MPs to urban residents. The results suggest that residents of Beijing face more severe health risks from atmospheric MPs compared to those in Shanghai. These findings underscore the urgency to address the issue of atmospheric MPs and provide crucial evidence for the formulation of relevant environmental and health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Longyi Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yaxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ville Silvonen
- Aerosol Physics Laboratory, Physics Unit, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere 33014, Finland
| | - Henry Oswin
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Yaxin Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ziyu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xuying Ma
- College of Geomatics, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
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Carlsten C. Inhaled Microplastics and Airway Development: Concerning Evidence from Organoids. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:355-356. [PMID: 38128549 PMCID: PMC10878384 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202311-2131ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Carlsten
- University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Janani R, Bhuvana S, Geethalakshmi V, Jeyachitra R, Sathishkumar K, Balu R, Ayyamperumal R. Micro and nano plastics in food: A review on the strategies for identification, isolation, and mitigation through photocatalysis, and health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117666. [PMID: 37984787 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few years, it has become increasingly evident that microplastic pollutant heavily contaminates water sources, posing a potential threat to both human and wildlife. These plastic pollutants do not get degraded efficiently by natural processes and the existing traditional treatment methods are incapable of fully eradicating them. In this regard, degradation of microplastic contaminants through photocatalytic methods has emerged as a powerful technique. Unfortunately, only a limited number of investigations have been reported in the field of photocatalytic degradation of microplastics. This comprehensive assessment focuses on the detailed analysis of the latest cutting edge engineered technologies aimed at efficiently separating, identifying microplastic contaminants present in food samples and degrading them through photocatalysis. Moreover, detailed information on various instrumental techniques that can be adopted to analyze the isolated micro sized plastic particles has been discussed. The assessment and degradation of these micro contaminants through photocatalytic methods is still in juvenile stage and there are lot of rooms to be explored. The need for profound contemplation on methods to degrade them through photocatalytic approaches as well as their possible health risks to humans motivated us to bring out this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Janani
- Department of Physics, KIT-Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, 641402, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - S Bhuvana
- Department of Physics, Dr. N.G.P. Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, 641048, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Geethalakshmi
- Department of Chemistry, KIT-Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, 641402, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Jeyachitra
- Department of Physics, KIT-Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, 641402, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kuppusamy Sathishkumar
- Rhizosphere Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India
| | - Ranjith Balu
- Department of Materials Physics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India
| | - Ramamoorthy Ayyamperumal
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental System, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Sun J, Sui M, Wang T, Teng X, Sun J, Chen M. Detection and quantification of various microplastics in human endometrium based on laser direct infrared spectroscopy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167760. [PMID: 37832687 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The pollution of microplastics (MPs) has received widespread attention with the increasing usage of plastics in recent years. MPs could enter the human body and exist in the circulatory system. Endometrium, with rich blood vessels, acts as an essential role in human health and female fertility. However, there is no study reporting the MPs exposure in human endometrium. We collected the endometrium samples to detect the presence of MPs qualitatively and quantitatively via laser direct infrared. We found that there was a total of 13 types of MPs existing in the collected samples, among which 6 special types of MPs were with both high abundance and high detection rate. The abundance of these MPs ranged from 0 to 117 particles/100 mg, with a median abundance of 21 particles/100 mg. Most detected MPs, accounting for 88.35 %, were in small size (20-100 μm). Among small-size MPs, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer ranked first while polyethylene accounted for the largest proportion among large-size MPs (100-500 μm). Correlation analysis indicated there was no significant relationship between age and MP abundance or BMI and MP abundance. We also designed a questionnaire to investigate lifestyle and daily habits, aiming at revealing the potential relationship between MP exposure and living habits. We discovered that some drinking habits and chewing gum were significantly correlated with a higher level of MP exposure. For the first time, we identified the presence of MPs in human endometrium and clarified the potential connections between MP exposure and lifestyle. Further studies are still necessary to explore more underlying information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Sun
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Mengsong Sui
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoming Teng
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Miaoxin Chen
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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