Topics
exposure
January 27, 2026
Review summarizes evidence of antimony migration, health risks, and informs on reduction guidelines; finds highest migration from plastic food contact materials; links antimony to cardiometabolic health impacts
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 18, 2025
During the third inquiry hearing of the Australian Senate Select Committee on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), drinking water experts and affected community members advocated for broader PFAS ban, upgraded water treatment facilities, investigation into PFAS sources, serious consideration of health impacts
Reading time: 3 minutes
December 19, 2024
Study assesses migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) into olive oil; migration depends on plastic type, PAH type and temperature - being highest for PE, alkylated compared to non-alkylated PAHs, and at 125 °C compared to 20 °C, respectively
Reading time: 2 minutes
December 11, 2024
51 plastic/rubber products and four microplastic types subjected to different extraction and leaching conditions, respectively; chemical composition changes with extraction method; leachate composition depends on salinity and temperature influence; extracts and leachates of similar chemical complexity
Reading time: 3 minutes
December 9, 2024
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
Reading time: 4 minutes
November 14, 2024
VERMEER FCM tool allows modeling migration of organic chemicals from plastic food contact materials (FCMs), predicting selected toxicological endpoints, and comparing with European regulatory information; based on several in silico models; designed to assist risk assessment of FCMs; openly available
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 17, 2024
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
Reading time: 5 minutes
October 15, 2024
Research demonstrates widescale environmental microplastic contamination and human exposure, effects on all levels of biological organizations, and emerging evidence of negative human health impacts; review’s authors foresee data gaps to be closed within next ten years but call for immediate policy action based on precautionary principle to minimize unintended consequences
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 23, 2024
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
Reading time: 5 minutes
July 23, 2024
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
Reading time: 3 minutes
