Human biomonitoring of microplastics and health implications: A review.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of human biomonitoring studies and preclinical toxicology models
PubMed 37634692 · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.116966
What was done
Reviewed 91 published studies on microplastics (particles <5 mm) to evaluate human biomonitoring data across biological matrices and assess mechanistic toxicological endpoints from in vitro and in vivo models.
What was found
Microplastics were documented in multiple human tissues and fluids, including blood, urine, stool, lung tissue, breast milk, semen, and placenta, confirming systemic exposure through ingestion and inhalation. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated associated mechanisms of toxicity including inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, posing potential cardiovascular, respiratory, and oncologic risks. The abstract provides no specific quantitative concentration metrics or effect sizes.
Why it matters
This review aggregates evidence confirming widespread internal human exposure to microplastics, providing a baseline of biological distribution to inform environmental risk assessments and exposure mitigation policies.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative concentration data, particle characterization details, or statistical effect estimates. Causal links to human clinical disease endpoints remain unproven, relying largely on preclinical cellular and animal models.
Cited by
- supports Microplastics have been detected and measured in human blood, placentas, seminal fluid, and breast milk.