Toxicological considerations of nano-sized plastics

PA Stapleton; PA Stapleton

doi:10.3934/environsci.2019.5.367

AIMS Environmental Science

2019, Volume 6, Issue 5: 367-378. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2019.5.367

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Toxicological considerations of nano-sized plastics

PA Stapleton ^{1,2
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1.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
2.
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA

Received: 12 July 2019 Accepted: 25 September 2019 Published: 22 October 2019

Undoubtedly, plastics have changed human existence. These pervasive products are used in nearly every field to include technological, biomedical, and domestic applications. Post-consumer plastic waste disposal leading to plastic pollution in landfills, waterways, and oceans represents a worldwide environmental challenge. Accumulation and continued material fragmentation from micro- to nanoplastics has identified concerns pertaining to environmental and human exposures and toxicity. While many studies have focused on particle fate and identification, the toxicological considerations must focus on the biological relevance of particle deposition within a particular organism, compartment, organ, and tissue. Further, concerns exist regarding the physical and chemical properties of the plastic particles during their production and/or degradation. In this minireview we will discuss (1) particle characterization and assessment, (2) environmental concerns, and (3) human toxicity.
- toxicology,
- exposure,
- nanoplastics,
- microplastics
Citation: PA Stapleton. Toxicological considerations of nano-sized plastics[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2019, 6(5): 367-378. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2019.5.367

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Abstract

Undoubtedly, plastics have changed human existence. These pervasive products are used in nearly every field to include technological, biomedical, and domestic applications. Post-consumer plastic waste disposal leading to plastic pollution in landfills, waterways, and oceans represents a worldwide environmental challenge. Accumulation and continued material fragmentation from micro- to nanoplastics has identified concerns pertaining to environmental and human exposures and toxicity. While many studies have focused on particle fate and identification, the toxicological considerations must focus on the biological relevance of particle deposition within a particular organism, compartment, organ, and tissue. Further, concerns exist regarding the physical and chemical properties of the plastic particles during their production and/or degradation. In this minireview we will discuss (1) particle characterization and assessment, (2) environmental concerns, and (3) human toxicity.

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