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Scientists May Have Discovered One Way Microplastics Could Harm the Body
Plastic is usually inert, but in a new lab study, microplastics in water spontaneously produced damaging free radicals. What does that mean for the human body?
UH research links marine microplastics to cancer rates | University of Hawaiʻi System News
UH research examines associations between marine microplastic pollution and cancer rates in coastal counties.
CMS student among top 30 finalists nationwide in science competition
Isabella Garry is being honored for a project exploring whether natural materials can remove microplastics from simulated stomach fluid.
$3.3M National Institutes of Health grant funds UH study of microplastics, infant brain development
Researchers will measure exposure through maternal blood, examine fetal brain development through ultrasound and collect cord blood and placenta samples. Infants will be assessed at 2, 6 and 12 months for neurological function, motor development, language skills and cognition.
Think Beyond Brita — These Advanced Water Filter Pitchers From $15 Help Remove Microplastics From Your Glass
More microplastics and forever chemicals are popping up in our drinking water. As a public health expert, I rounded up seven water filter pitchers to help reduce your microplastic exposure in your drinking water. Picks include pitchers from Culligan, Aquagear, LifeStraw, Aarke, and more.
Our bodies react to microplastics in a way scientists never expected - Futura-Sciences
When Microplastics Go Straight to the Lungs Microplastics: the word alone might send your mind racing through images of floating trash islands or bottles bobbing in rivers. It’s now a scientific fact that microplastics are omnipresent in our environment. But while their presence is undeniable, much remains to be understood—especially...
This popular fermented food may help flush nanoplastics from the body
A kimchi-derived bacterium can bind to nanoplastics under gut-like conditions and may help carry them out of the body. In mice, the probiotic more than doubled the amount of nanoplastics detected in feces, pointing to a surprising potential use for microbes from fermented foods.
Oncologists Warn: Are Plastic Cutting Boards Safe? Here's What You Need to Know
Here’s what experts know about how microplastics impact health.
The Watch: Uninsured Americans Still Pay Heavily Into U.S. Healthcare
Taxes make up of most of uninsured healthcare payments…heavy rainfall spreads microplastic pollution, threatening water quality…extreme heat now extending past summer…and more
Inhaled Microplastics Linked To Lung Cancer, Study Finds
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2026 (HealthDay News) — People with lung cancer are more likely to have hidden deposits of microplastics in their lungs, a new study says. About 66% of lung cancer patients had detectable microplastics found in fluid samples taken from their ...
Can microplastic-loving algae clean up water pollution?
An unexpected discovery laid the path for using genetically engineered algae to remove microplastics from water.
Microplastics Are Part Of Everyday Life. What Does That Mean For Our Health?
What do microplastics mean for our health? Scientists are finding them throughout the human body as research raises new questions about everyday exposure over time.
The Watch: Microplastics Linked To Fatty Liver Disease
Plastic used in food packaging is most common type found in liver…workers exposed to pesticides at higher risk for Lou Gehrig’s disease…last year’s measles outbreak cost $5.4 million to contain…and more
Microplastics may be affecting cardiovascular health
Heart attack patients have more than cholesterol in their arteries
Scientists Tested 17 Human Artery Samples – And Found Microplastics in Every Single One
There's no avoiding microplastics.
Scientists Tested 17 Human Artery Samples – And Found Microplastics in Every Single One
There's no avoiding microplastics.
Microplastics detected in most heart attack patients' blood in startling new study
Nearly 84% of severe heart attack patients had detectable microplastics in their coronary artery blood, with polyethylene found in 97% of cases.
North Carolina scientists find airborne microplastics warm Earth as much as 200 coal plants
"We really need every single thing at our disposal."
Supplement that binds to microplastics may remove them from our body
A supplement comprised of dead bacteria seems to remove microplastics, and prevent their absorption into cells, by attracting them to the bacteria's rough surfaces
Giving old sweaters ‘Anu’ life: Greenfield business celebrates one year of upcycling cashmere into new winter sportswear
Greenfield based company Anu recently celebrated its first anniversary since beginning its journey of upcycling used cashmere sweaters into neck warmers, reducing exposure to microplastics and toxins in outdoor wear.
Scientists warn microplastics make antibiotics fail
As if we needed another reason to worry about plastic pollution, science just handed us a pretty terrifying one. We already know microplastics are clogging up our oceans, drifting through our air, and...
At Family Science Night, Wonder Comes Before Answers.
BAR HARBOR—Family Science Night isn’t really about science. It’s about wonder. It’s about watching a five-year-old realize that the tiny creature under a microscope is a real living thing. It’s about a teenager discovering that the scientist explaining genetics or regeneration isn’t much older than they are. It’s about parents seeing curiosity spread across a child’s face the way excitement spreads across a crowd at a Fourth of July parade. For one evening, families realize that the laboratory isn’t some secretive place where knowledge is hidden behind white coats and closed doors. They learn that the lab is a place their neighbors work, their friends’ parents work, and it becomes a place where questions matter more than answers. It’s a place where wonder is the origin for knowledge. At the lab, children learn that it’s okay not to know. Adults remember that they once asked “Why?” about everything. Scientists are reminded why they fell in love with discovery in the first place. There are experiments, games, obstacle courses, and demonstrations, of course. But those are really just invitations—to touch, to explore, to laugh, to make mistakes, and to ask one more question. In a world that often rewards certainty, Family Science Night celebrates curiosity. And perhaps that’s its greatest gift. Long after the microscopes are packed away and the experiments are over, what families take home isn’t just a few new facts about biology. They take home the feeling that discovery belongs to everyone—that science isn’t something happening somewhere else by someone else. It’s simply what happens when people are given permission to wonder. A Family Science Night at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is one of those rare community events where children and adults can experience science as something they do, not just something they read about. Hands on discovery allows hands-on learning and joy. Real scientists, some local, some scientist-interns (but still scientists) just in college make science real, approachable, and exciting. And there, complex ideas like forever chemical-filtration, DNA and so much more become not complex. Instead, they become fun. Summer fellows are challenged to explain cutting-edge biomedical research in ways a first-grader—and their grandparent—can understand. Past activities have explored gene expression, kidney function, axolotl regeneration, worms, microplastics, and phytoplankton through games and creative demonstrations. Though it’s called family night, you can also see adults going from station to station, exploring, learning together across ages. Family Science Night reflects the laboratory’s broader mission of breaking down barriers between researchers and the public, helping people understand how scientific discoveries relate to everyday life and the health of Maine’s environment. Family Science Night transforms a world-class research laboratory into a giant interactive classroom, where curiosity is encouraged, questions are celebrated, and families discover that science isn’t just something that happens in a lab—it’s an adventure anyone can join. About MDI Biological Laboratory For more than 125 years, MDI Bio Lab has been a center for training and research in comparative biology. In the last two decades its biomedical research has focused on aging, regeneration, and environmental toxins. The Laboratory houses 11 research groups staffed by an international team of world-class scientists and graduate students. It also leads a statewide network of colleges, universities and research institutions that collaborate to provide training, research experiences and financial support to help young Mainers play a bigger role in today’s biomedical revolution. Located on Maine’s rugged coast, the Laboratory’s 100+ acre campus houses research facilities, cottages and dorms that house visiting scientists and students. It is also home to MDI Bioscience, a subsidiary working to design innovative techniques to speed the drug discovery process. LINKS TO LEARN MORE NIH INBRE MDI BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY Photos: Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar/Bar Harbor Story HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you. Subscribe Share Bar Harbor Story Share Leave a comment
'Everyone on Earth is exposed': Scientists map microplastics deep inside living tissue
It does show that researchers are developing better tools to study exposure.
What scientists discovered about your kitchen sponge will alarm you - Futura-Sciences
The results show that kitchen sponges do release measurable amounts of microplastics over time. However, the researchers found that the biggest environmental burden linked to hand-washing dishes is not the plastic particles themselves. Instead, water use accounts for the vast majority of the overall impact. Kitchen sponges as a source...
RFK Jr. orders passenger from hantavirus-stricken cruise to remain in quarantine in Nebraska, despite CDC recommendation
A woman who was exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise has been ordered by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stay in federal quarantine, despite being cleared to return home to Florida by a federal health expert.
UC wins $3.3M grant to study microplastics' effects on cardiovascular health
Microplastics are in the food people eat, the water they drink and the air they breathe. UC researchers are studying the impact microplastics have on the heart.
What Does Microplastics Contamination Have to Do with Creation?
New research reveals microplastics studies may be flawed, highlighting why observational science and biblical truth matter in interpreting evidence.
IV therapy could lower the body's microplastics
A treatment embraced by Bryan Johnson and Gwyneth Paltrow is now being studied for its effects on blood microplastics.
UC researcher secures $3.3M grant to study microplastics’ impact on heart
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences awarded a $3.3M grant to University of Cincinnati researcher Hong‑Sheng Wang, PhD, to study how microplastics and nanoplastics affect cardiovascular health.
Your kitchen sponge is releasing microplastics every time you wash dishes
Kitchen sponges release microplastics as they wear down during everyday use, with some sponge types shedding far more than others. Researchers estimated that millions of households could collectively release hundreds of tons of microplastics annually.
How Microplastics May Be Threatening Women's Sexual Health
Microplastics have been found inside women's ovaries, and they may be hijacking your hormones. Here's what the science says and what you can do about it.
Microplastics and Men’s Sexual Health
Microplastics can lower your testosterone and may be interfering with you sexual health. Here's what the latest research says, and what you can do about it.
2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Award
Undergraduate senior biochemistry student Lillian Ott (Mohanty group) has been awarded the 2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, one of the country’s most prestigious honors for graduate students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, supports doctoral students across a broad range of scientific and technological fields of strategic importance. This highly competitive fellowship provides full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for three years. In 2026, only 102 fellowships were awarded nationwide. Lillian also received an honorable mention for the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Studying biochemistry at UCLA, Lillian became excited about how her physical science background could be applied to solve environmental issues. She joined the Subsurface Engineering Analysis Laboratory (SEA Lab) led by Professor Sanjay Mohanty in the Samueli’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In the SEA lab, she has studied the fate and transport of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are ubiquitous “forever chemicals” and known carcinogens that impact water quality worldwide. This fall, she will begin her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University with Professor Nina Zhao. Her research will be focused on metabolomics and the discovery of unrecognized chemical determinants of environmental and human health. “I have seen the serious and unforeseen environmental and health consequences from man-made chemicals like PFAS and microplastics, which are often only appreciated after the damage has been done. I hope that my research can lead to more sustainable chemical design and inform policy and solutions-based innovation in public health and water quality engineering,” Lillian said. Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
Could A Simple Lab Mistake Lead Scientists to Over-Estimate Microplastics?
While microplastics are a very real issue, one new study suggests that the numbers might not be quite as bad as we've feared.
Could A Simple Lab Mistake Lead Scientists to Over-Estimate Microplastics?
While microplastics are a very real issue, one new study suggests that the numbers might not be quite as bad as we've feared.
This popular fermented food may help flush microplastics from the body
Scientists in South Korea have discovered that a probiotic bacterium found in kimchi may help the body flush out tiny plastic particles before they can build up in organs. In lab tests, the kimchi-derived microbe clung tightly to nanoplastics even under conditions designed to mimic the human intestine, where other bacteria quickly lost their grip.
Scientists discover a mysterious silicone pollutant that may be everywhere
Researchers have uncovered unexpectedly high levels of silicone-based pollutants called methylsiloxanes floating through the atmosphere across cities, rural regions, and even forests. Much of the pollution appears to come from vehicle emissions, likely linked to engine oil additives that survive combustion and escape into the air. Scientists say humans may inhale more of these compounds daily than other notorious pollutants like PFAS or microplastics.
Teen builds ‘Bionic Underwater Robotic Turtle’ to detect ecological threats
High schooler Evan Budz's award-winning invention can identify coral bleaching, invasive species, and microplastics without disturbing marine ecosystems.
Microplastics absorb heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming — as if they weren't bad enough
Climate scientists have discovered that microplastics and nanoplastics are helping to drive global warming by absorbing sunlight and radiation in the atmosphere.
Scientists say this algae could remove microplastics from drinking water
Researchers created a special kind of algae that can grab microscopic plastic pollution out of water almost like a magnet. The algae produce limonene, an orange-scented oil that helps them bind to water-repelling microplastics, forming easy-to-remove clumps. As a bonus, the algae also clean wastewater while growing.
How Much Microplastic Is Really In The Human Brain? Here's The Science Behind The Headlines
"This is a research field in its infancy, while the general public is being fed with sensational scraps of information."
Scientists Identify Another Contributor to Global Warming—and It's Everywhere
Researchers found that airborne microplastics trap nearly one-fifth as much heat as black carbon.
WATCH LIVE: EPA's Zeldin testifies on Trump's budget request in Senate Environment hearing
It’s time to seize the rare bipartisan opening to address microplastics
“This could be the start of serious action on microplastics. Or it could end up as a headline with little behind it,” write Tim Ryan and Justin Zorn.
Microplastics, MAHA, and the Evolving Politics of Exposure Science
Concerns about microplastics and their effect on human and environmental health are no longer confined to academic literature or environmental advocacy.
Microplastics, MAHA, and the Evolving Politics of Exposure Science
Concerns about microplastics and their effect on human and environmental health are no longer confined to academic literature or environmental advocacy.
Scientists just found where airborne microplastics really come from
Microplastics are floating through the atmosphere and spreading across the globe, but their true origins have been misunderstood. New research shows land sources emit over 20 times more microplastic particles into the air than the ocean, challenging earlier beliefs. Scientists also discovered that previous models dramatically overestimated how much plastic is in the atmosphere.
This University of Pennsylvania lab is working on new ways to detect microplastics
Common cleaning sponge found to release trillions of microplastic fibers
That “magic” sponge under your sink may be hiding an environmental downside. While melamine sponges are famous for effortlessly scrubbing away stubborn stains, they slowly break down as you use them—shedding tiny plastic fibers that wash into water systems. Researchers estimate that globally, these sponges could release over a trillion microplastic fibers every month, potentially entering the food chain and affecting wildlife.
Texas health professionals urge action on microplastics
Concerns over microplastics are growing as researchers are finding them almost everywhere.
WATCH LIVE: Health Secretary RFK Jr. testifies about HHS priorities at House hearing
WATCH LIVE: Health Secretary RFK Jr. testifies about HHS priorities at House hearing
Microplastics in our bodies: What health experts are starting to see
Join leading medical experts, including cardiologists and public health researchers, for a timely conversation on the emerging science around microplastics and the human body.
The Trump administration just updated rules for CDC's vaccine advisory panel, allowing inclusion of RFK Jr. allies
The changes published Thursday come after a recent legal defeat that has at least temporarily halted meetings of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which for decades has recommended how best to use the nation’s vaccines.
RFK Jr, EPA chief 'declare war' on microplastics amid growing evidence of health risks
Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are declaring a war on microplastics.
RFK Jr, EPA chief 'declare war' on microplastics amid growing evidence of health risks
Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are declaring a war on microplastics.
RFK Jr, EPA chief 'declare war' on microplastics amid growing evidence of health risks
Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are declaring a war on microplastics.
Microplastics have been found everywhere. That's a problem for research
Microplastics scientists are finding the tiny particles everywhere, even in their own research laboratories. So how do they know if what they're finding is in the sample or contamination from plastic fibers floating in the air?
RFK Jr, EPA chief 'declare war' on microplastics amid growing evidence of health risks
RFK Jr. and the EPA head "declare war" on microplastics, adding them to the drinking water contaminants list and launching new health studies.
New research suggests the microplastics health risk may not be as bad as we thought
However, that's definitely not to say microplastics aren't still a big problem, study authors warn.
EPA puts microplastics, drugs on tap water list
A $144 million study into microplastics in water was also announced
ARPA-H launches groundbreaking, $144 million program to combat toxic microplastics in the human body
New STOMP program will uncover how microplastics build up in the body—and drive new ways to protect people from their potential health impact.
Sharing her passion for science
By Danielle Rush Communications Specialist, Indiana University Kokomo Hisako Masuda, Indiana University Kokomo professor of biochemistry, was honored by the Indiana Academy of Science (IAS) as its 2026 Distinguished Scholar. The award is given to an individual who is recognized by the IAS as having an exceptional record of scholarship. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted to its awards committee. “I was surprised,” said Masuda, who joined IU Kokomo’s faculty in 2013. “I feel there are many good scientists in the Academy, so I wasn’t expecting it at all.” Patrick Motl, dean of the School of Sciences, said the Academy recognizes up to one member per year, and that Masuda is the second or third IU Kokomo faculty member to receive the commendation. “Clearly this speaks to the strength of Dr. Masuda’s accomplishments in research and scholarship and that her work stands out amongst her peers in Indiana,” said Motl, who received the award in 2019. “Many of the institutions that participate in the IAS are undergraduate institutions or primarily undergraduate institutions, but even having that caveat, Dr. Masuda has built and maintains a very active research program in her lab, working exclusively with undergraduates. She is passionate about science and can share that passion with her students. To carry on a quality research program with so many students involved in so many projects is truly remarkable and I am glad that the IAS acknowledged that for Dr. Masuda.” The IAS specifically commended her for involving more than 50 undergraduates in her research in bacterial metabolism, genomics, and their phenotypic plasticity at IU Kokomo, and publishing 23 articles with many student co-authors. Masuda’s current work primarily focuses on biodegradation and chemical repurposing of nylon. Using soil bacteria, her lab studies bacterial biodegradation of nylon and other environmental pollutants. She applies principles of green chemistry while developing a method to convert nylon waste into other nontoxic polymers. In collaborative work with health scientists, her lab investigates gut microbiomes of Indiana native birds as well as human subjects in a clinical study. She became interested in converting plastic waste while earning her Ph.D. at Rutgers University, working on methods to remove environmental waste not using chemicals or other intrusive methods. She learned about Nylon 11, which is used in pipes for transferring oil, interior components for cars, catheters, and in other industrial hard plastics. Nylon 11 is nontoxic, she added, so it is safe to include students in the research. “Those are considered to be nonbiodegradable, and have to go to a landfill,” she said. “I thought if we could come up with a way to biodegrade it, that would make some kind of impact.” Eventually, she wants to develop a product that would convert nylon waste to something useful, and to reduce waste and microplastics in the environment. “That would be my goal at some point, that we can make that change, and also make people more aware of their use of plastics,” she said. “I hope students stop to think about what we can do as scientists to address issues currently impacting us.” She appreciates the IAS for its support of scientific research at Indiana institutions, and IU Kokomo and the School of Sciences for providing funding for students to attend the Academy’s annual meeting. She added that IU Kokomo has also supported her research with funding from the School of Sciences and Academic Affairs. “Without that, I couldn’t do my research,” she said. Masuda has also earned a Senior Research Grant from the IAS, IU Kokomo’s Distinguished Research Award, and the IU Kokomo Junior Faculty Annual Research Award. She is a Fellow of the Indiana Academy of Science. Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.
Scientists shocked to find lab gloves may be skewing microplastics data
Scientists may have been unknowingly inflating microplastics pollution estimates, and the surprising source could be their own lab gloves. A University of Michigan study found that common nitrile and latex gloves release tiny particles called stearates, which closely resemble microplastics and can contaminate samples during testing. In some cases, this led to wildly exaggerated results, forcing researchers to track down the unexpected culprit.
Scientists solved the mystery of missing ocean plastic—and the answer is alarming
Scientists have discovered that the ocean’s “missing” plastic hasn’t vanished—it has broken down into trillions of invisible nanoplastics now spread through water, air, and living organisms. These tiny particles may be everywhere, including inside our bodies, raising serious concerns about their impact.
Scientists may be overestimating the amount of microplastics in the environment – and the culprit is lab gloves
Tiny particles from certain lab gloves look like microplastics, and they can contaminate samples, new study finds.
Scientists may be overestimating the amount of microplastics in the environment – and the culprit is lab gloves
Tiny particles from certain lab gloves look like microplastics, and they can contaminate samples, new study finds.
Charleston Waterkeeper opens Community Science Lab for researching water quality, monitoring microplastics
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WBCD) — Charleston Waterkeeper has opened a first-of-its-kind Community Science Lab, inviting residents, students, and volunteers to take a hands-on role in monitoring Lowcountry wat...
Algae is a 'little vacuum' for microplastics. Midwest scientists think it could clean up the problem
Tiny shards of plastic called microplastics are all over the environment and even inside human bodies. Researchers have found a type of bioengineered algae that can clean up these pesky particles.
Scientists are pushing back on warnings that microplastics damage your health, saying people are just obese and calling some studies ‘a joke’
Some scientists are saying previous studies warning of the damage microplastics may cause are exaggerated and are false positives triggered by human fat.
Scientists are pushing back on warnings that microplastics damage your health, saying people are just obese and calling some studies ‘a joke’
Some scientists are saying previous studies warning of the damage microplastics may cause are exaggerated and are false positives triggered by human fat.
Microplastics found in prostate tumors in small study
Plastic particles were found at higher levels in tumor tissue than nearby noncancerous tissue, raising questions about the role they may play in tumor development.
Arabella Solomon ’33 Earns First Place in Regional Science Fair
Arabella Solomon ’33 took home top honors at the regional science fair on Saturday, Feb. 14, for her project, titled "Using Sound Frequencies to Clear Microplastics from NC Waterways.”
Crusading Against the Health Hazards of Plastics
Epidemiologist Leonardo Trasande, MD, and other NYU Langone researchers are sounding the alarm about the growing health effects of microplastics. Learn more.
USU's Science Unwrapped Explores Microplastic Pollution on Friday, Feb. 20
Akib Al Mahir and Liyuan (Joanna) Hou will be the featured speakers at a free, family friendly event, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Eccles Science Learning Center on the Logan campus.
Microplastics in Humans: What the Science Really Says
Analytical limits still hamper detection and quantification of micro- and nanoplastics in tissues and food, making standardized assays an urgent research priority.
Microplastics have reached Antarctica’s only native insect
Even Antarctica’s toughest native insect can’t escape the reach of plastic pollution. Scientists have discovered that Belgica antarctica — a tiny, rice-sized midge and the southernmost insect on Earth — is already ingesting microplastics in the wild. While lab tests showed the hardy larvae can survive short-term exposure without obvious harm, those exposed to higher plastic levels had reduced fat reserves, hinting at hidden energy costs.
UNM lecture to explore health risks of microplastics and environmental toxicants
The University of New Mexico Department of Physics, Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science hosts the next Science & Society Distinguished Public Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 19, featuring researcher Eliane El Hayek.
UNM lecture to explore health risks of microplastics and environmental toxicants
The University of New Mexico Department of Physics, Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science hosts the next Science & Society Distinguished Public Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 19, featuring researcher Eliane El Hayek.
Scientists make microplastics glow to see what they do inside your body
Microplastics and nanoplastics are now found everywhere on Earth, from ocean depths to agricultural soils and even inside the human body. Yet scientists still struggle to understand what these particles actually do once they enter living organisms. A new study proposes an innovative fluorescence-based strategy that could allow researchers to track microplastics in real time as they move, transform, and degrade inside biological systems.
Team Science Showcase: The People and Partnerships Moving Microplastics Research Forward
Public concern about microplastics and health has grown sharply over the past several years. Questions like “Are plastic cutting boards safe?” and “Should I drink out of plastic water bottles?” are prevalent, but...
Scientists finally solve a 100-year-old mystery in the air we breathe
Scientists at the University of Warwick have cracked a long-standing problem in air pollution science: how to predict the movement of irregularly shaped nanoparticles as they drift through the air we breathe. These tiny particles — from soot and microplastics to viruses — are linked to serious health risks, yet most models still treat them as perfect spheres for simplicity. By reworking a century-old formula, researchers have created the first simple, accurate way to predict how particles of almost any shape behave.
Toy Association Advocates for Science-Based Approach to California Microplastics Review
On January 30, The Toy Association™ submitted comments to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in response to the agency’s request for information regarding consumer products that contain or generate microplastics, including c
Questions are being raised about microplastics studies—here's what's solid science and what isn't
Over the past few years, studies have suggested that plastic particles from bottles, food packaging and waste have been detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, arteries and even the brain. But a recent ...
Questions are being raised about microplastics studies – here’s what’s solid science and what isn’t
Scientists question whether alarming reports of plastic particles in human organs are accurate or the result of laboratory contamination.
Is your body really full of microplastics?
Studies detecting microplastics throughout human bodies have made for alarming reading in recent years. But last week, the Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, reported on major doubts among a group of scientists about how some of this research has been conducted
Scientists trace fertilizer microplastics from fields to beaches
Plastic-coated fertilizers used on farms are emerging as a major but hidden source of ocean microplastics. A new study found that only a tiny fraction reaches beaches through rivers, while direct drainage from fields to the sea sends far more plastic back onto shore. Once there, waves and tides briefly trap the particles on beaches before many vanish again. This helps explain why so much plastic pollution seems to disappear after reaching the ocean.
The Guardian view on microplastics research: questioning results is good for science, but has political consequences
Editorial: Errors in measuring microplastic pollution can be corrected. Public trust in science also needs to be shored up
Microplastics are undermining the ocean’s power to absorb carbon
Tiny plastic particles drifting through the oceans may be quietly weakening one of Earth’s most powerful climate defenses. New research suggests microplastics are disrupting marine life that helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, while also releasing greenhouse gases as they break down. By interfering with plankton, microbes, and natural carbon cycles, these pollutants reduce the ocean’s ability to regulate global temperatures.
Are our bodies full of microplastics or not? There’s a way to resolve this debate, and scientists must hurry
This week’s furore is microplastics researchers’ ozone moment. If they fail, the powerful plastics lobby will step into the breach, says science journalist and author Debora MacKenzie
We have to stop freaking out about every new microplastics study
Microplastics are bad for us. But scientists are still figuring out the rest of the story.
We have to stop freaking out about every new microplastics study
Microplastics are bad for us. But scientists are still figuring out the rest of the story.
The ‘bombshell’ science that casts doubt on claims about microplastics
Like tobacco and asbestos before, these particles have sparked widespread fear. But now experts say the risks may be overstated
So our brains aren’t full of microplastics after all?
The research on microplastics in our bodies is terrifying. It might also be wrong.
Steubenville High School science program gains research grant
STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville High School science students will utilize a $3,400 grant to review water quality and the presence of microplastics in fish found in local tributaries. Teacher Jessie Clark received the Environmental Stewardship Research Grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and will begin the project with her class this month. Clark said the […]
There's a Surprisingly Easy Way to Remove Microplastics in Drinking Water
You may already be doing it.
Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Clinical Outcomes
Microplastics (≤5 mm) are increasingly recognized as pervasive environmental pollutants with potential implications for human health. Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion and inhala...
Sardine-inspired washing machine filter removes 99% of microplastics
The home appliance can easily generate as much as 500 grams of microplastics each year.