Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

Understanding Exposures to Microplastics and Nanoplastics

September 24, 2024

Interviewee: Phoebe Stapleton, Ph.D.

In this episode, NIEHS-funded scientist Phoebe Stapleton, Ph.D., talks about her research to track the movement and potential health effects of micro- and nanoplastics in the body. Plus, she offers practical tips to reduce your exposure to plastic particles.

Understanding Exposures to Microplastics and Nanoplastics

Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in our environment. Single-use water bottles, bags, and other plastic waste break down over time to form smaller particles called microplastics, which are 5 millimeters or less in length. Microplastics can then break down further into even smaller particles called nanoplastics, which are less than 1,000 nanometers in size. Scientists have detected micro- and nanoplastics in water and food, as well as human blood, lungs, and reproductive tissues like the placenta and testes. However, how these tiny bits of plastic may affect human health is uncertain.

In this episode, NIEHS-funded scientist Phoebe Stapleton, Ph.D., talks about her research to track the movement and potential health effects of micro- and nanoplastics in the body. Plus, she offers practical tips to reduce your exposure to plastic particles.

Interviewee

Phoebe Stapleton is an assistant professor in the Rutgers University Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her NIEHS-funded research examines how inhaled nanoparticles move through a mother’s circulatory system to the developing fetus, potentially harming the health of the mother and baby. Her research team has shown that plastic nanoparticles can move from the maternal lung, across the placental barrier, and into fetal lung, liver, heart, kidney, and brain tissues.

References

• Qian N, Gao X, Lang X, Deng H, Bratu TM, Chen Q, Stapleton P, Yan B, Min W. 2024. Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 121(3):e2300582121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2300582121. Epub 2024 Jan 8. [ Abstract Qian N, Gao X, Lang X, Deng H, Bratu TM, Chen Q, Stapleton P, Yan B, Min W. 2024. Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 121(3):e2300582121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2300582121. Epub 2024 Jan 8. ]
• Cary CM, DeLoid GM, Yang Z, Bitounis D, Polunas M, Goedken MJ, Buckley B, Cheatham B, Stapleton PA, Demokritou P. 2023. Ingested polystyrene nanospheres translocate to placenta and fetal tissues in pregnant rats: potential health implications. Nanomaterials (Basel) 13(4):720. doi: 10.3390/nano13040720. [ Abstract Cary CM, DeLoid GM, Yang Z, Bitounis D, Polunas M, Goedken MJ, Buckley B, Cheatham B, Stapleton PA, Demokritou P. 2023. Ingested polystyrene nanospheres translocate to placenta and fetal tissues in pregnant rats: potential health implications. Nanomaterials (Basel) 13(4):720. doi: 10.3390/nano13040720. ]
• Weingrill RB, Lee MJ, Benny P, Riel J, Saiki K, Garcia J, Oliveira LFAM, Fonseca EJDS, Souza ST, D'Amato FOS, Silva UR, Dutra ML, Marques ALX, Borbely AU, Urschitz J. 2023. Temporal trends in microplastic accumulation in placentas from pregnancies in Hawai'i. Environ Int 180:108220. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108220. Epub 2023 Sep 20. [ Abstract Weingrill RB, Lee MJ, Benny P, Riel J, Saiki K, Garcia J, Oliveira LFAM, Fonseca EJDS, Souza ST, D'Amato FOS, Silva UR, Dutra ML, Marques ALX, Borbely AU, Urschitz J. 2023. Temporal trends in microplastic accumulation in placentas from pregnancies in Hawai'i. Environ Int 180:108220. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108220. Epub 2023 Sep 20. ]
• Fournier SB, D'Errico JN, Adler DS, Kollontzi S, Goedken MJ, Fabris L, Yurkow EJ, Stapleton PA. 2023. Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy. Part Fibre Toxicol17(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s12989-020-00385-9. [ Abstract Fournier SB, D'Errico JN, Adler DS, Kollontzi S, Goedken MJ, Fabris L, Yurkow EJ, Stapleton PA. 2023. Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy. Part Fibre Toxicol17(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s12989-020-00385-9. ]