How Microplastics F**k with Your Cells

We at PAPP have been banging the drum on microplastics since 2022. Not very long. However, the knowledge that nanoparticles have a negative effect on human health is a much older science.

This week I have had a fascinating conversation on LinkedIn with Dr Anita Handa-Corrigan, one of her many hats is a Surface Scientist. I will expand on what that is later, but her knowledge of cell surfaces puts her in a very unique position to tell us why nano plastics are so very very bad for human health. We already know these particles are in our brains.

Tiny But Lethal

(From Dr Anita) Let me try to explain simply how internalisation and penetration of microplastics can occur within our cells:

The cellular membrane is a lipid ( or fatty ) bilayer with interspersed and surface proteins with functional properties.
Micro and nanoplastics are polymers that can traverse the membranes of our cells, and the membranes of organelles that contain DNA, respiratory enzymes, hormone packaging, nerve conduction molecules etc etc. Surface Membranes with fluid properties that are chemically compatible to allow passage of nano and microplastics.
Once inside the cellular organelles, these particles would preferentially displace the aquatic environment needed for biochemical synthesis and metabolic reactions.
I would go as far as hypothesising that the cells would become “sluggish” and unable to carry out their normal, compartmentalised function
The cellular embrace is cycle & mechanism that allows DNA repair, and check-points that ensure a cell does not become cancerous. It would not be surprising that cells packed with microplastics are unable to carry out these basic checks to prevent self-destruction.

Image courtesy of: (Courtesy: Huang et al. Sci. Adv. 11 eadr8243 (2025))

Cancer & Microplastics

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles present in the environment, have been linked to increased cancer risk in several studies. These particles can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Research suggests microplastics may contribute to cancer development by causing chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. They can also carry toxic pollutants and disrupt hormone levels. Studies have found potential links between microplastic exposure and cancers such as lung, colon, breast, prostate, liver, and ovarian cancer.

Not Just Plastics

Pollution introduces a complex array of nanoparticles into our environment, broadly categorized into three main types. First, naturally occurring nanoparticles are generated by processes like volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and even sea spray. Second, and often more concerning, are incidental anthropogenic nanoparticles, which are unintentionally released from human activities such as combustion (think vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions), welding fumes, and construction dust. Finally, engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), though designed for beneficial uses in various products from sunscreens to electronics, can also become environmental pollutants if released during their lifecycle, with nanoplastics emerging as a particularly pervasive and growing concern. Understanding these diverse sources is crucial for addressing the widespread impact of nanoparticle pollution.

The Nano Plastic Time Bomb

Billions of tons of plastic have been produced, and a significant portion of this is now in the environment. Estimates suggest that by 2050, plastics in landfills and natural ecosystems could reach 12 billion tons.

Given the vast amount of plastic currently in the biosphere and the extremely small size of nanoplastics, the number of particles generated would be in the quintillions, sextillions, or even higher orders of magnitude. This represents an unprecedented number of synthetic particles introduced into all ecosystems, from deep ocean trenches to mountain clouds, and even within living organisms.

What is a Surface Scientist?

A Surface Scientist is a professional who specializes in surface science, an interdisciplinary field that investigates the physical and chemical phenomena occurring at the interface of two different phases. These interfaces can be between solids and gases, solids and liquids, solids and vacuum, or liquids and gases.Essentially, surface scientists study the outermost atomic layers of materials and how they interact with their environment. This involves understanding their:

Structure: The arrangement of atoms at the surface.
Composition: The types of atoms and molecules present on the surface.
Properties: How these surface characteristics influence the material’s behavior, such as its reactivity, adhesion, conductivity, or resistance to corrosion.
Processes and Dynamics: How reactions, diffusion, and other events occur at the surface.