Human exposure and accumulation of microplastics and nanoplastics

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are contaminants of emerging concern due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and potential health risks to humans. Previous studies have reported MNPs in various biological samples such as human blood, lung, and liver tissues using vibrational spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques. Among current analytical approaches, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) is increasingly used for MNP analysis as it thermally degrades plastic particles into analytically measurable molecules without particle size limitations. However, as Py-GC-MS is an indirect technique that measures the breakdown products of a polymer rather than the actual polymer itself and relies on external calibration curves for polymer quantification, uncertainties may be introduced into quantification of MNPs. Additionally, background contamination introduced during sample collection and processing remains a challenge for trace-level analysis. Identifying the sources and levels of background contamination in laboratory environments is crucial for implementing robust strategies to reduce this contamination. Therefore, this study aims to improve confidence in identifying and quantifying MNPs in human biomonitoring samples by evaluating the limitations of MNP quantification using Py-GC-MS and assessing background contamination across different laboratories.

Please note, this is a PhD Candidate Progress Review presentation by Lin Chen.