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Luo D, Chu X, Wu Y, Wang Z, Liao Z, Ji X, Ju J, Yang B, Chen Z, Dahlgren R, Zhang M, Shang X. Micro- and nano-plastics in the atmosphere: A review of occurrence, properties and human health risks. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133412. [PMID: 38218034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133412] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The ubiquitous occurrence of micro/nano plastics (MNPs) poses potential threats to ecosystem and human health that have attracted broad concerns in recent decades. Detection of MNPs in several remote regions has implicated atmospheric transport as an important pathway for global dissemination of MNPs and hence as a global health risk. In this review, the latest research progress on (1) sampling and detection; (2) origin and characteristics; and (3) transport and fate of atmospheric MNPs was summarized. Further, the current status of exposure risks and toxicological effects from inhaled atmospheric MNPs on human health is examined. Due to limitations in sampling and identification methodologies, the study of atmospheric nanoplastics is very limited today. The large spatial variation of atmospheric MNP concentrations reported worldwide makes it difficult to compare the overall indoor and outdoor exposure risks. Several in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies demonstrate adverse effects of immune response, apoptosis and oxidative stress caused by MNP inhalation that may induce cardiovascular diseases and reproductive and developmental abnormalities. Given the emerging importance of atmospheric MNPs, the establishment of standardized sampling-pretreatment-detection protocols and comprehensive toxicological studies are critical to advance environmental and health risk assessments of atmospheric MNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Luo
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xinyun Chu
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhenfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhonglu Liao
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jingjuan Ju
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Pingyang County Health Inspection Center, Wenzhou 325405, China.
| | - Zheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Randy Dahlgren
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xu Shang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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Liu Z, You XY. Recent progress of microplastic toxicity on human exposure base on in vitro and in vivo studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166766. [PMID: 37666331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are widely distributed in the environment, including the atmosphere, soil and water bodies. They have been found to have toxic effects on organisms. The impact on human health is also receiving considerable attention. Microplastics can be found in drinking water, food, air and plastic products, and they can enter human body through the pathways such as ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. After exposure to microplastics, they can induce cellular toxicity and produce toxic effects on multiple organs and systems, including the digestive, respiratory, nervous, reproductive and cardiovascular systems. This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis on the recent progress of human exposure studies, in vitro experiments, rodent experiments, and other model experiments in microplastic human toxicity research. It comprehensively analyzes the potential human toxic effects of microplastics, providing a theoretical basis for further research on microplastic human toxicity and its mechanisms. Furthermore, this paper highlights the knowledge gaps and provides the recommendations for future research on human toxicity of microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengguo Liu
- Tianjin Engineering Center of Urban River Eco-purification Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xue-Yi You
- Tianjin Engineering Center of Urban River Eco-purification Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Hong J, Park HN, Lee S, Song MK, Kim Y. Material flow analysis-based assessment of polypropylene-fiber-containing microplastics released from disposable masks: Characterizing distribution in the environmental media. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 892:164803. [PMID: 37302592 PMCID: PMC10251720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164803] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With the upsurge in the use of disposable masks during the coronavirus disease pandemic, improper disposal of discarded masks and their negative impact on the environment have emerged as major issues. Improperly disposed of masks release various pollutants, particularly microplastic (MP) fibers, which can harm both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by interfering with the nutrient cycling, plant growth, and the health and reproductive success of organisms. This study assesses the environmental distribution of polypropylene (PP)-containing MPs, generated from disposable masks, using material flow analysis (MFA). The system flowchart is designed based on the processing efficiency of various compartments in the MFA model. The highest amount of MPs (99.7 %) is found in the landfill and soil compartments. A scenario analysis reveals that waste incineration significantly reduces the amount of MP transferred to landfills. Therefore, considering cogeneration and gradually increasing the incineration treatment rate are crucial to manage the processing load of waste incineration plants and minimize the negative impact of MPs on the environment. The findings provide insights into the potential environmental exposure associated with the improper disposal of waste masks and indicate strategies for sustainable mask disposal and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehwan Hong
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsirip-daero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Neul Park
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsirip-daero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Health, Korea Environment Institute, 370 Sicheong-daero, Sejong 30147, Republic of Korea
| | - Seowoo Lee
- Korea Natural Resource & Economic Research Institute, 26 Seongsuil-ro 10-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04793, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Kyung Song
- Korea Natural Resource & Economic Research Institute, 26 Seongsuil-ro 10-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04793, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghun Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsirip-daero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea.
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