To Waste or Not to Waste: Questioning Potential Health Risks of Micro- and Nanoplastics with a Focus on Their Ingestion and Potential Carcinogenicity.


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Authors
Gruber, Elisabeth S 
Stadlbauer, Vanessa 
Pichler, Verena 
Resch-Fauster, Katharina 
Todorovic, Andrea 
Abstract

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are recognized as emerging contaminants, especially in food, with unknown health significance. MNPs passing through the gastrointestinal tract have been brought in context with disruption of the gut microbiome. Several molecular mechanisms have been described to facilitate tissue uptake of MNPs, which then are involved in local inflammatory and immune responses. Furthermore, MNPs can act as potential transporters ("vectors") of contaminants and as chemosensitizers for toxic substances ("Trojan Horse effect"). In this review, we summarize current multidisciplinary knowledge of ingested MNPs and their potential adverse health effects. We discuss new insights into analytical and molecular modeling tools to help us better understand the local deposition and uptake of MNPs that might drive carcinogenic signaling. We present bioethical insights to basically re-consider the "culture of consumerism." Finally, we map out prominent research questions in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Description

Funder: Medical University of Vienna

Keywords
Bioethics issue, Carcinogenesis, Human health, Microplastic, Nanoplastic
Journal Title
Expo Health
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2451-9766
2451-9685
Volume Title
15
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Austrian Science Fund (P29251)