All articles tagged with #nanoplastics
A kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, binds nanoplastics in the gut and retains high adsorption under intestinal-like conditions, with mouse studies showing increased fecal excretion of nanoplastics, suggesting a probiotic approach to reducing plastic buildup in the gastrointestinal tract.
Scientists identified a kimchi-derived bacterium that can bind nanoplastics in a gut-like environment, capturing about 57% of particles versus 3% for a comparison strain and about 87% binding before digestion. In germ-free mice, those given the kimchi bacterium excreted more nanoplastics in feces, suggesting the gut could serve as an initial barrier to plastic exposure. The finding is promising but preliminary—human relevance remains unproven, and longer studies plus human trials are needed; next steps include screening other fermented foods for stronger binders and pursuing clinical testing.
A study in Bioresource Technology reports that a lactic acid bacterium found in kimchi can bind nanoplastics in the intestine and be excreted in feces, with mice fed kimchi-derived bacteria showing higher nanoplastic levels in stool, suggesting fermented foods may help reduce bodily microplastics.
A study in Bioresource Technology suggests kimchi’s lactic-acid bacteria can bind nanoplastics in the intestine and boost their excretion in feces, indicating a potential way to remove microplastics from the body; mouse experiments showed increased nanoplastics in feces, and researchers note other foods like okra may have similar effects.
A new study using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy finds nanoplastics in U.S. drinking water—both tap and bottled—at 10–100x higher concentrations than prior estimates, with bottled water containing about three times more nanoplastics. Health impacts are not well understood, but researchers caution that reducing exposure is prudent.
A kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium (CBA3656) appears to bind nanoplastics in the gut, increasing their excretion in mice and suggesting fermented foods could help reduce plastic toxins in humans, though more research is needed to confirm effects in people and to understand where the plastics go after excretion.
A review in Food Chemistry finds teabags—often made with plastic mesh or mixed materials—are a leading source of microplastics and nanoplastics in tea. When exposed to boiling water, some bags can release more than a billion particles into the brew, with studies reporting up to 14.7 billion particles per bag depending on methods and detection. Results vary due to testing techniques and contamination risks, and researchers also note possible leaching of plastic additives, though health implications for humans remain unproven. The takeaway is that familiar tea packaging can be a major source of plastic contamination in tea, though exact quantities are not uniform across brands or studies.
A peer‑reviewed study in Science of the Total Environment found bottled water contains higher concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics than treated tap water, with nanoplastics making up more than 50% of detected particles. Using advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy and optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy, researchers warn that nanoplastics can cross cellular barriers and potentially reach organs, underscoring the need for better detection and consideration of alternatives to bottled water (e.g., filtered tap water or reusable bottles).
A wave of critique questions whether microplastics pose the health risks often reported. A Nature Medicine letter argues detection methods are flawed and that fats in the body could cause false positives, while other researchers point to contamination and methodological gaps in many studies. Although some experts still warn microplastics can enter the body and be biologically active, there is no consensus on harm; advances like new imaging techniques aim to reduce contamination and better link plastics to disease, but it may take years to standardise methods and reach firm conclusions.
New research from the University of Plymouth reveals that nanoplastics can penetrate vegetables' edible parts, raising concerns about microplastic contamination in our food and potential health risks, as these tiny particles can bypass natural plant barriers and accumulate in crops.
A scientist warns that daily consumption of bottled water introduces tens of thousands of micro- and nanoplastics into the body, which may cause chronic health issues such as inflammation, hormone disruption, and neurological damage, though long-term effects are still not fully understood. Education and awareness are crucial to mitigate these risks.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, with nanoplastics smaller than 1 micrometer that can penetrate cells, posing health risks. They are comparable in size to grains of sand or human hair and are ubiquitous in the environment, raising concerns about their impact on human health and ecosystems.
A Trinity College Dublin study suggests that tiny nanoplastics may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's by damaging brain cell mitochondria, highlighting the need to reduce plastic exposure to protect brain health.
Researchers have developed a simple, inexpensive method using an optical sieve, a microscope, and a camera to detect nanoplastics as small as 200 nanometers in water and biological samples, potentially revolutionizing environmental monitoring and health impact assessments.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, portable optical sieve using a semiconductor material with tiny cavities that can detect and size nanoplastics as small as 200 nanometres in environmental samples, facilitating easier monitoring of plastic pollution and potential health impacts.