Cited by 492Microplastics and Plastic PollutionNanoparticles: synthesis and applicationsEnvironmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Micro- and nanoplastic induced cellular toxicity in mammals: A review

Banerjee, Amrita, Shelver, Weilin L.·2021·Science of The Total Environment

Abstract

Plastic based products are ubiquitous due to their tremendous utility in our daily lives. However, the limited biodegradable nature of plastics has recently raised pollution concerns globally, especially micro- and nanoplastics. These anthropogenic pollutants are either manufactured specifically in the small size range for various commercial applications or formed due to fragmentation of macro plastics in the environment. Micro- and nanoplastics are currently widespread in the oceans, freshwater bodies, land and even present in our food. The biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic organisms are well documented but their impacts on mammalian system have not been rigorously investigated. This review discusses the potential routes of exposure to micro- and nanoplastics, biological effects of these particles in mammalian cells, factors influencing toxicity, and the probable mechanisms of cytotoxicity. In general, small size, positive charge, high dose, and presence of toxic additives or pollutants in the micro/nanoplastics appear to induce cellular toxicity through oxidative stress, membrane damage, immune response and genotoxicity. Understanding the cellular fate and toxicity of these materials may help extrapolate risks to mammals.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142518

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135 of 135 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Because nanoplastic particles can cross biological barriers, they might play a predominant role in toxicity evaluation despite their trivial contribution to mass.

    “However, given the capability of these nanoplastic particles to cross the biological barrier, nanoparticles, despite the seemingly trivial contribution to the mass measurement, might play a predominant role in terms of toxicity evaluation (72, 73).”

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Authors
Banerjee, A., & Shelver, W. L.
Affiliations
Agricultural Research Service (US)
Corresponding author
Shelver, Weilin L.
Venue
Science of The Total Environment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-02
Volume
755
Issue
Pt 2
Pages
142518
ISSN
0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3088724696
Cited by
492
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 70 · 2025: 96 · 2024: 114 · 2023: 89 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 1 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Keywords
microplastics, nanoplastics, cytotoxicity, mammalian cells, cytotoxicity mechanism, oxidative stress, membrane damage, immune response, genotoxicity, plastic pollution, exposure pathways, plastic fragmentation, food contamination
MeSH terms
Microplastics, Animals, Fresh Water, Mammals, Plastics, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Aquatic Organisms

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