Airborne micro and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) are a growing issue due to their possible health hazards. Since the current bibliography lacks a thorough evaluation, this review examines the sources, environmental dynamics, and health impacts of airborne MPs/NPs. Through atmospheric transport processes, these neo-pollutants spread around the world after being released, potentially settling in urban and remote areas. This review is the first to compare active and passive aerosol sampling methods, and microscopy, thermochemical, and spectroscopy analytical techniques, with a focus on their limitations in precisely quantifying micro-nanoscale plastic particles. It also draws attention to the potential toxicological effects of inhaled MPs/NPs, which can lead to oxidative stress, respiratory inflammation, and other negative health consequences. This review concludes by examining how airborne MPs/NPs may worsen their ecological impact by serving as carriers of hazardous chemicals and microbial pollutants. Despite growing awareness, there still are many unanswered questions, especially about the impact of long-term exposure and how atmospheric conditions affect the spread of MPs/NPs. The aim of this review was to bring attention to the issue of airborne MP/NP effects and to promote the development of advanced monitoring systems, a new multidisciplinary scientific field for the study of these novel pollutants, and global regulatory frameworks.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive contaminants infiltrating water, food, and human tissues. The sharp rise in plastic production—with over half manufactured between 2003 and 2022—has heightened concerns about their health impacts. Methods included: (1) a literature review of clinical studies on MNPs focusing on human health and (2) analysis of Standardized Mortality Rates (SMRs) for 44 groups of diseases in Italy (2003–2022, Italian National Institute of Statistics, ISTAT data). The outcomes suggest that MNPs have been connected to pathological alterations in a number of organ systems, such as the gastrointestinal tract (intestine, liver, and pancreas), breathing system, eyes, brain, and vascular structures. SMRs increased significantly in only eight of the 46 illness categories examined between 2003 and 2022. The analysis of clinical and epidemiological data allows us to identify a possible clinical assessment consisting of a 30-variable diagnostic questionnaire (Chicago Cluster Evaluation System, CCES), encompassing laboratory markers, clinical signs, and ultrasound findings. A binomial distribution model suggests that more than 8 positive responses may indicate a presumptive diagnosis of Microplastic Syndrome (MP-Sy). This framework reflects observed clinical/epidemiological patterns and provides a foundation for hypothesis-driven research. Prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to validate the proposed definition and its diagnostic utility. The aim of the present study is to propose a preliminary clinical framework for a potential MP-Sy integrating toxicological evidence with epidemiological data, define diagnostic criteria and assess their consistency with observed disease trends.

Recent studies have indicated that microplastics (MPs) may accumulate in the human body, potentially posing health risks. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effect of a food supplement (FS: 0.8 g of chitosan derived from Procambarus clarkii, PCC) on the fecal excretion of MPs (20–500 µm size) following ingestion of a standardized meal (SM). Ten healthy volunteers (non-smokers, non-drinkers, non-drug users) participated in a two-phase, crossover design conducted one week apart. In both phases, participants consumed an SM after overnight fasting, and fecal samples were collected the following morning (7–10 am). Phase 1 served as baseline (no PCC), while in Phase 2, PCC was administered immediately before the SM. Sixteen types of MPs were analyzed. A modest increase (5%) in fecal mass was observed after PCC intake. MP counts were 356 in the SM, 656 ± 110 in Phase 1 feces, and 965 ± 165 in Phase 2 feces. The excretion of nine MPs—PA, PAN, PAM, PE, PES, PET, PP, PS, and RA—was enhanced by PCC. These preliminary findings suggest that PCC promotes the fecal elimination of MPs. Further controlled studies are needed to validate these results and assess their potential relevance for dietary interventions.

The rising incidence of microplastics (MPs) is a possible health risk to humans. The present study aims to analyze the presence of MPs in intravenous (IV) infusions and compare MP concentrations from multiple brands. The IV solutions of 29 medical devices (IV-MDs) from seven brands commercialized in Ecuador, Spain, and Italy have been selected under specific consideration to carry out the study. The detection of MPs has been quite obvious in almost all of the samples from brands in the mentioned countries. MP concentrations ranged from 9 to 20 MPs/L in glass containers to 166–299 MPs/L in plastic bags, with the majority of fragments (63%) on fibres (37%) and more than 60% of particles less than 100 µm. Nine different types of MPs were identified in this study. High clinical risk was indicated by markings with >200 MPs/L. Nevertheless, the medium polymeric danger index (PHI) was 1.7. According to these outcomes, IV infusion is a direct exposure to MPs that may have harmful medical repercussions. It is imperative that MPs’ limitations be included in pharmacopoeic monographs and in vivo toxicological and epidemiological studies. The present study aims to analyze the presence of MPs in IV-MDs and compare MP concentrations from multiple IV-MD brands.