Exploring the determinants of micro- and nanoplastics exposure among adults in Barcelona, Spain
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants present in food, water, and air, yet human exposure levels and key predictors remain poorly understood. We quantified MNP polymer concentrations in human biological samples, estimated dietary intake through food and beverages, and explored pot...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
| Repositorio: | DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:digital.csic.es:10261/414728 |
| Acesso em linha: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/414728 https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/105027214920 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Urine cohort Food Microplastics Nanoplastics Stool Water http://metadata.un.org/sdg/3 http://metadata.un.org/sdg/9 http://metadata.un.org/sdg/11 http://metadata.un.org/sdg/12 http://metadata.un.org/sdg/6 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns |
| Resumo: | Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants present in food, water, and air, yet human exposure levels and key predictors remain poorly understood. We quantified MNP polymer concentrations in human biological samples, estimated dietary intake through food and beverages, and explored potential exposure determinants in a population-based cross-sectional study of 50 healthy adults in Barcelona, Spain. Stool, urine, tap water, and food samples were collected along with detailed dietary and lifestyle data. MNPs (size range: 0.7-20µm) were extracted using ultrasonic-assisted toluene extraction and analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography using a size exclusion chromatography column coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC(SEC)-HRMS). Plastic additives were also screened in urine and tap water to assess their potential as proxies for MNP exposure. MNPs were detected in 52% of stool (median: 1.8 µg/kg) and urine (median: 22.7 µg/L) samples, with polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) as the most frequently identified polymers. Tap water contained MNPs in 26% of samples (median: 1.4 µg/L), primarily PE. Plastic additives were found in all urine and tap water samples, with diethyl phthalate (68%) and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (78%) being most prevalent. Plastic additives in urine showed poor concordance with MNPs in urine, suggesting they are poor exposure biomarkers. Estimated MNP intake from food (1.51 µg/kg body weight/day) greatly exceeded that from beverages (0.02 µg/kg bw/day), with animal products as the main contributors. Differences in MNP levels were observed by country of origin, recent consumption of meat, seafood, and eggs, and regular packaged food consumption. |
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