nanoplastics
Tiny synthetic fragments
Nanoplastics are plastic particles smaller than one micrometer—invisible to the naked eye and small enough to penetrate cell membranes.
They form when larger plastics break down in the environment or are manufactured for industrial use.
Research increasingly links nanoplastics to concerns about human health and ecosystem contamination: Nanoplastics have been detected in drinking water and human blood.
Large repeated-unit molecule
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
PVC · nylon · acrylic · microbeads · fragments · fibers · films · pellets
Harmfulness to living cells
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- blood-brain barrierProtective cerebral filtration system
- gut microbiomeMicrobial community in digestive tract
bioaccumulation · chronic exposure · reproductive harm · ingestion · inhalation
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- leachateLiquid filtered through waste
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
sediments · aquatic · marine debris · soil contamination · groundwater · drinking water · food chain · seafood
Too small for optical viewing
- ultrafineExceptionally small in size
- invisibleCannot be seen
- electron microscopeInstrument magnifying via charged particles
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
characterization · surface area · aggregation · fragmentation · weathering · degradation
Saltwater biological communities
- filter feedersOrganisms sieving food from water
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- shellfishAquatic creatures with exoskeletons
coral reefs · freshwater · estuaries · biodiversity · benthic · pelagic
polymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
PET · PVC · nylon · acrylic · microbeads · fragments · fibers · films · pellets · additives
cytotoxicity
Harmfulness to living cells
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- blood-brain barrierProtective cerebral filtration system
gut microbiome · bioaccumulation · chronic exposure · reproductive harm · ingestion · inhalation
microplastics
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- leachateLiquid filtered through waste
wastewater · sediments · aquatic · marine debris · soil contamination · groundwater · drinking water · food chain · seafood · bottled water
submicroscopic
Too small for optical viewing
- ultrafineExceptionally small in size
- invisibleCannot be seen
- electron microscopeInstrument magnifying via charged particles
spectroscopy · characterization · surface area · aggregation · fragmentation · weathering · degradation
marine ecosystems
Saltwater biological communities
- filter feedersOrganisms sieving food from water
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
shellfish · coral reefs · freshwater · estuaries · biodiversity · benthic · pelagic
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, toxin, pesticides
- microplasticsmicrobeads, microfibers
nanoplasticsbiodegradable materials
Items that decompose naturally
organic matter · compostable materials · natural fibers · cellulose · humus
nanoplasticsplastic debris
Discarded synthetic material waste
plastic bottles · plastic bags · plastic sheets · plastic containers · microplastics