Plastic products are favoured for their superior traits and have become an integral part of modern society. However, micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants that have either been purposefully manufactured to a small size or are derived from the degradation of larger pieces of plastic waste. Literature has shown the presence of MNPs in air, water and food, all of which put humans under exposure risk to this pollution source. Many studies have reported evidence of MNPs in human samples, including saliva, stool, urine, colon, lung, blood, heart tissues, kidney and placenta. But the significance towards human health is still largely unknown. The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the fate and effects of MNPs in humans. This will be achieved by characterising and quantifying pristine and environmentally relevant MNPs that are able to permeate and undergo uptake by the human cerebral endothelial hCMEC/D3 cell monolayer (representing blood-brain barrier) and human colon epithelial Caco-2 cell monolayer (simulating gut-blood barrier), using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Please note this is a PhD Progress Review presentation.