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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Micro- and Nanoplastic-Induced Respiratory Disease and Dysfunction: A Scoping Review
Microplastics, Vol.4(4), 79
2025
Abstract
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 UniversityLiam A. O’Callaghan - Bond UniversityOystein Tronstad - Prince Charles HospitalJacky Suen - Prince Charles HospitalHonglin Chen - The University of QueenslandCassandra Rauert - Queensland HealthCiara B. Blum - Griffith UniversityLotti Tajouri - Murdoch University, Harry Butler InstituteMatthew Olsen - Bond UniversityKevin V. Thomas - The University of QueenslandJohn F. Fraser - Wesley Research Institute
- Publication Details
- Microplastics, Vol.4(4), 79
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 45
- Identifiers
- 991005849488407891
- Copyright
- © 2025 by the authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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