Scientists detect microplastics in maternal blood, fetal appendages, and umbilical vein blood; find no association between particle levels measured in different tissues; polystyrene microplastics induce time-dependent cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and metabolic alterations in placental explants; reviews discuss microplastic association with different diseases
Tag archives: microplastics
AURORA scientists find significant levels of hazardous flame retardants in children’s plastic toys
Study analyzes children’s plastic toys from the EU market for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); find 11 out of 84 toys have elevated bromine content; finds PBDEs in all 11 samples, many of which exceed regulatory limits
AURORA study reviews available methods for detecting MNPs in human fluids and tissue
Review specifically focuses on high-throughput approaches for population-wide biomonitoring; calls for more standardization in methods and quality assessment and control
Microplastics are present in human nervous system and reproductive organs
Five studies on microplastic presence and effects on central nervous system (CNS) and reproductive organs; study finds microplastics of some but not all polymer types enter human CNS, especially after blood-brain barrier impairment; review concludes microplastics induce neurotoxicity; scientists demonstrate presence of microplastics in female reproductive tissue and male para-tumor and tumor prostate samples; associate microplastic presence with sperm dysfunction
Plastic pollution researchers gather at MICRO 2024 conference
AURORA scientists joined for the fifth edition of the scientific conference in Spain; event attracts over 800 plastic pollution researchers from around the world; provides a constructive platform to exchange insights and share the latest knowledge on nano, micro, and macro plastic pollution
AURORA publishes scientific protocol outlining research
Peer-reviewed article published in JMIR Research Protocols presents background, goals, and methodologies of the entire AURORA Horizon 2020 project; project is developing and refining exposure assessment techniques to measure MNPs and associated chemicals in human tissues; includes enhancing methods for high-resolution and large-scale toxicological assessment, exposure assessment, and epidemiological studies
AURORA study examines cell uptake and interactions of polystyrene MNPs with hormone receptors
Researchers from the AURORA consortium publish a study testing for potential endocrine-disrupting effects of polystyrene (PS) micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) particles; finds uptake of PS-MNP particles differs per cell type; detects limited endocrine-disrupting effects in vitro; reports that PS-MNPs can affect steroidogenesis; study calls for needed additional research
Recent studies show that MNPs can negatively impact reproductive health
Studies confirm micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human endometrial tissue, amniotic fluid, placentas, and feces of pregnant people; MNP presence in the endometrium is linked with recurrent miscarriages in humans, apoptosis in organoids, and reduced fertility in mice; higher MNPs exposure from seafood and bottled water consumption
What happens to micro- and nanoplastics in the body?
Study proposes a preliminary physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model for micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs); polymer type, size, shape, surface chemistry, surface biofilms, and biocorona determine toxicokinetic rates; models for engineered nanoparticles are not appropriate due to heterogeneity of MNPs; uptake via inhalation and effects of absorbed chemicals need more investigation
AURORA project featured in public health webinar
Webinar on human exposure and health effects of micro and nanoplastics hosted by Collaborative for Health & Environment puts a spotlight on AURORA and POLYRISK; AURORA project coordinator Roel Vermeulen speaks about progress and challenges; shares first project preliminary results; emphasizes the need for further research and standardized methods
