Tiny Particles, Big Problems — Micro-nanoplastics and the Human Heart
We’ve known for decades that plastics pollute our oceans, soil, and food systems. But only recently have we begun to truly comprehend the scale at which micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) may be also polluting us — our cells, our urinary tract, our blood, our arteries and even our hearts.
A new study from researchers at the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) has shown, in a new paper published by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, that understanding the problem will require an interdisciplinary approach, blending chemistry, physiology, toxicology and clinical medicine.
CCRG Research Fellow, Adrian Goldsworthy, who is supported by the Wesley Research Institute, said the Group had been watching this space with growing concern, inspiring a far-reaching scoping review to understand the scale of the problem, and how to tackle it.
“Research into the health effects of MNPs is still in its infancy, but what we’re seeing so far is both fascinating and alarming. After seeing the evidence that MNP had been detected in the human urinary tract, we conducted this review to better understand how these microscopic particles might also be affecting the human cardiovascular system.
“What the paper shows is that not all MNPs are created equal. They vary in shape, size, chemical composition, surface charge, and the presence of additives such as phthalates — a class of chemicals known to interfere with hormone function. These variables dramatically influence how plastics behave when they interact with human cells.
“It’s important to realise the diversity of plastics that exist in our environment so we can better understand how to deal with them. Changes to their shape, size, electrical charge and the phthalates within the plastic all dramatically affect the behaviour of the particles with human cells,” said Adrian.
The cardiovascular system, with its complex network of blood vessels and delicate balance of biochemical signals, may be especially vulnerable.
“The review, which analysed research from five major scientific databases, shows the sheer diversity of plastic particles in the environment, making this area of study incredibly complex.”
Adding to this is evidence that MNPs may be capable of crossing biological barriers, with one potential area of concern being the equipment used for medical interventions such as cardiopulmonary bypass machines and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
“While our research is in the very early stage, we are concerned that everything from IV tubing to surgical implants could be a source of exposure. It’s concerning that the very tools we use to help save lives might also, inadvertently, be introducing long-term risks and potentially contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases.”
CCRG research programme now shifts to focus on identifying biomarkers of exposure, understanding long-term cardiovascular outcomes, and evaluating how different types of plastics interact with human tissue.
Micro-nanoplastic induced cardiovascular disease and dysfunction: a scoping review
Goldsworthy, A., O’Callaghan, L. A., Blum, C., Horobin, J., Tajouri, L., Olsen, M., Van Der Bruggen, N., McKirdy, S., Alghafri, R., Tronstad, O., Suen, J., Fraser, J. F. DOI: 10.1038/s41370-025-00766-2. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
Background: The human bioaccumulation of micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) is increasingly being recognised in the aetiology and pathophysiology of human disease. Objective: This systematic scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of studies examining the impacts of MNPs on the human cardiovascular system. Methods: Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE) were systematically searched.
