Luo Qingxin, Tan Haowen, Ye Mao, Jho Eun Hea, Wang Peng, Iqbal Babar, Zhao Xin, Shi Hui, Lu Hanqiang, Li Guanlin
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212008, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
J Environ Manage. 2025 Jul;387:125915. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125915. Epub 2025 May 27.
Microplastics have emerged as a pervasive environmental pollutant and can infiltrate the human body through ingestion via the digestive tract, inhalation via the respiratory system, and dermal contact, thereby posing significant implications for human health. Recent studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in human tissues, including the placenta, blood, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and reproductive organs, raising serious concerns about their potential toxicological effects. Due to the diverse sizes, types, shapes, and surface characteristics of microplastics, the pathways through which they reach various organs and their toxic effects on these organs can vary significantly. Despite growing evidence, the exposure pathways, toxic effects of microplastics on human health, and their underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic exposure pathways, their potential health risks, the emerging evidence linking microplastics to diseases, and existing research gaps. Additionally, the present review highlights the risks of microplastics to children's health. Children are particularly at risk due to their frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors, higher ventilation rates relative to body size, and immature biological barriers, all of which enhance their susceptibility to microplastic exposure and toxicity. By providing an integrated overview of microplastic exposure and its health risks, this review seeks to inform the pressing need for multidisciplinary research to elucidate the mechanisms of microplastic toxicity and to develop regulatory frameworks aimed at mitigating microplastic-related hazards.
微塑料已成为一种普遍存在的环境污染物，可通过消化道摄入、呼吸系统吸入以及皮肤接触等途径侵入人体，从而对人类健康构成重大影响。最近的研究已证实人体组织中存在微塑料，包括胎盘、血液、胃肠道、肺和生殖器官，这引发了人们对其潜在毒理学效应的严重担忧。由于微塑料的大小、类型、形状和表面特征各不相同，它们到达各个器官的途径以及对这些器官的毒性作用可能有很大差异。尽管证据越来越多，但微塑料的暴露途径、对人类健康的毒性作用及其潜在机制尚未完全阐明。本综述全面概述了微塑料的暴露途径、其潜在的健康风险、将微塑料与疾病联系起来的新证据以及现有的研究空白。此外，本综述强调了微塑料对儿童健康的风险。儿童由于频繁的手口行为、相对于身体大小较高的通气率以及未成熟的生物屏障，特别容易受到微塑料暴露和毒性的影响。通过对微塑料暴露及其健康风险进行综合概述，本综述旨在说明开展多学科研究以阐明微塑料毒性机制并制定旨在减轻微塑料相关危害的监管框架的迫切需求。
