Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review

Adrian Goldsworthy; Liam A. O’Callaghan; Oystein Tronstad; Jacky Suen; Honglin Chen; Cassandra Rauert; Ciara B. Blum; Lotti Tajouri; Matthew Olsen; Kevin V. Thomas; John F. Fraser

doi:10.3390/microplastics4040079

Back

Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review

Adrian Goldsworthy, Liam A. O’Callaghan, Oystein Tronstad, Jacky Suen, Honglin Chen, Cassandra Rauert, Ciara B. Blum, Lotti Tajouri, Matthew Olsen, Kevin V. Thomas, …

Microplastics, Vol.4(4), 79

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4040079

Files and links (1)

pdf

Published2.74 MBDownload View

CC BY V4.0, Open Access

Abstract

microplastics

lung

toxicology

One Health

Background: Human bioaccumulation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is increasingly being recognised in the aetiology and pathophysiology of human disease. This systematic scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of studies examining the presence and effects of MNPs on the human pulmonary system. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in line with JBI guidelines. Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE) were systematically searched. Results: Sixty-eight articles were identified, with fifteen reporting the presence of MNPs in human respiratory tissues and fluids. The data reported in the remaining toxicology-focused studies suggest that MNPs induce widespread cellular dysfunction in pulmonary-related human cell lines. Exposure to MNPs was associated with significant cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and altered metabolic activity, including mitochondrial damage, increased reactive oxygen species and reduced membrane potential. Functionalised and smaller particles had more pronounced effects. Conclusions: The reported presence of MNPs, coupled with their biological toxicity, represents a growing global health concern. Evidence suggests MNPs may contribute to the rising burden of pulmonary disease worldwide, including cancer, COPD, interstitial lung disease and ARDS. Urgent international research is needed to characterise exposure pathways, develop standardised detection methods and understand the long-term health implications of MNP inhalation across the lifespan.

Details

Title: Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review
Authors/Creators: Adrian Goldsworthy - Bond University
Liam A. O’Callaghan - Bond University
Oystein Tronstad - Prince Charles Hospital
Jacky Suen - Prince Charles Hospital
Honglin Chen - The University of Queensland
Cassandra Rauert - Queensland Health
Ciara B. Blum - Griffith University
Lotti Tajouri - Murdoch University, Harry Butler Institute
Matthew Olsen - Bond University
Kevin V. Thomas - The University of Queensland
John F. Fraser - Wesley Research Institute
Publication Details: Microplastics, Vol.4(4), 79
Publisher: MDPI
Number of pages: 45
Identifiers: 991005849488407891
Murdoch Affiliation: Harry Butler Institute
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Metrics

1 File views/ downloads

5 Record Views