Topics
microplastics
June 24, 2025
New research published by the Food Packaging Forum (FPF) finds that normal and intended use of plastic food packaging and other food contact articles (FCAs) can release micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) into food; identifies research gaps; suggests need for harmonized testing and reporting to improve data reliability; recommends regulations to mandate MNP migration testing for FCAs
Topics: microplastics, nanoplastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
May 27, 2025
Scientists expose mice to environmentally relevant doses of starch-based microplastics over three months; report wide range of impacts, including disputed lipid metabolism, higher blood glucose, increased hepatic oxidative stress, and changes in gene expression, potentially disrupting circadian rhythms
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
April 25, 2025
Consumer survey by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) shows that 68% and 16 % are very or medium concerned about “microplastics in food; “plastics” were rated as the second greatest health risk for consumers
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 1 minute
March 18, 2025
Nature commentary highlights common limitations of microplastic studies in human samples: small sample sizes, lack of controls, lack of biological plausibility; proposes international working group to advance microplastic research focused on transparency, collaboration, and rigorous standards
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 14, 2025
Scientists detect more micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) in the human brain than in liver and kidney, higher levels in brains of dementia patients; find MNPs obstruct blood vessels, lead to neurobehavioral abnormalities; MNPs in women’s follicular fluid associated with lower fertilization rates; maternal MNP exposure impairs fertility of female mice offspring; “bioplastic” MNPs induce male reproductive toxicity in mice
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 6 minutes
January 14, 2025
South Korean study assesses link between microplastics in blood and plastic container use as well as blood coagulation disruptions; finds mostly polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene microplastics in blood; links higher microplastic levels to use of plastic containers, impaired blood clotting and increased inflammation, suggesting potential cardiovascular risks
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
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
