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Study Reveals Nanoplastics Threaten Kidney Function
(MENAFN) New Australian research reveals that elevated exposure to nanoplastics may compromise kidney cell integrity and performance, intensifying alarm over microscopic plastic particles' impact on human health.
Scientists from Flinders University in Australia spearheaded groundbreaking research examining whether nanoplastics accumulate within or harm kidneys—the body's critical blood filtration system—according to a news release issued Tuesday.
The study, appearing in the international journal Cell Biology and Toxicology, determined that while modest nanoplastic concentrations (particles smaller than 1 micron or 0.001mm in diameter) showed minimal immediate toxic effects on kidney cells during short-term exposure, heavier contamination burdens can undermine overall cellular integrity and performance, triggering alterations in cell morphology, viability, and regulatory mechanisms.
"The results also indicate that the effects are influenced not only by concentration but also by polymer composition and particle size, with some combinations inducing significant cellular changes even at relatively low doses," said Hayden Gillings, the study's lead author and PhD candidate specializing in nanoplastics and health at Flinders University.
Prolonged or recurring damage to regulatory kidney cells could degrade kidney performance, diminish filtration effectiveness and clearance capacity, potentially allowing nanoplastics to accumulate within kidney tissue, researchers cautioned.
The discoveries underscore the critical need for investigating biological consequences—including possible DNA damage and chronic functional impacts—to comprehensively evaluate environmental nanoplastics' risks to kidney health and systemic exposure.
Escalating plastic waste continues fragmenting across Earth's terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric environments, fueling the spread of microplastic (fragments under 5mm) and nanoplastic contamination that endangers all life forms, researchers warned, calling for stricter controls limiting their discharge into ecosystems, food networks, and living organisms.
Scientists from Flinders University in Australia spearheaded groundbreaking research examining whether nanoplastics accumulate within or harm kidneys—the body's critical blood filtration system—according to a news release issued Tuesday.
The study, appearing in the international journal Cell Biology and Toxicology, determined that while modest nanoplastic concentrations (particles smaller than 1 micron or 0.001mm in diameter) showed minimal immediate toxic effects on kidney cells during short-term exposure, heavier contamination burdens can undermine overall cellular integrity and performance, triggering alterations in cell morphology, viability, and regulatory mechanisms.
"The results also indicate that the effects are influenced not only by concentration but also by polymer composition and particle size, with some combinations inducing significant cellular changes even at relatively low doses," said Hayden Gillings, the study's lead author and PhD candidate specializing in nanoplastics and health at Flinders University.
Prolonged or recurring damage to regulatory kidney cells could degrade kidney performance, diminish filtration effectiveness and clearance capacity, potentially allowing nanoplastics to accumulate within kidney tissue, researchers cautioned.
The discoveries underscore the critical need for investigating biological consequences—including possible DNA damage and chronic functional impacts—to comprehensively evaluate environmental nanoplastics' risks to kidney health and systemic exposure.
Escalating plastic waste continues fragmenting across Earth's terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric environments, fueling the spread of microplastic (fragments under 5mm) and nanoplastic contamination that endangers all life forms, researchers warned, calling for stricter controls limiting their discharge into ecosystems, food networks, and living organisms.
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