Reviews

Neuroendocrine Disruptors and Micro-Nanoplastics in Low-Resource Settings: Emerging Threats to Environmental and Human Health.

Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: 9 March 2026
Published: 19 August 2026
83
Views
45
Downloads

Authors

Neuroendocrine Disruptors (NEDs) are increasingly recognized as a significant environmental and public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where environmental contamination and inadequate waste management may increase human exposure. NEDs include a heterogeneous group of exogenous chemicals capable of interfering with hormonal and neurotransmitter systems, thereby altering neuroendocrine regulation and potentially affecting multiple physiological processes. This review examines the main sources of exposure to NEDs in populations living in low-resource environments, with particular attention to micro- and nanoplastics, pesticides, bisphenols, phthalates, and dioxins. Evidence from experimental and epidemiological studies indicates that these contaminants may influence neurodevelopment, reproductive health, metabolic regulation, and immune function. Vulnerable populations—including pregnant women, fetuses, children, and occupationally exposed workers—appear particularly susceptible to the effects of NED exposure. In addition, environmental pathways such as contaminated water, food products, cosmetics, and electronic waste represent important routes of human exposure, especially in regions characterized by rapid industrialization and limited regulatory oversight. The review also discusses the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in monitoring and mitigating exposure to neuroendocrine disruptors. Finally, emerging strategies aimed at reducing environmental contamination are explored, including improved waste management policies, preventive public health measures, and the potential application of artificial intelligence technologies for the rapid detection of nano-microplastics in consumer products. Strengthening research capacity and environmental health policies in low-resource settings is essential to reduce exposure and protect vulnerable populations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

1. Ali N, Katsouli J, Marczylo EL, Gant TW, Wright S, Bernardino De La Serna J. The potential impacts of micro-and-nano plastics on various organ systems in humans [Internet]. 2023. Available from: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104901

2. Klingelhöfer D, Braun M, Dröge J, et al. Global research on endocrine disruptors as emerging hazards for human health and the environment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2025;16:1561711. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1561711

3. Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Bourguignon JP, Giudice LC, et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocr Rev 2009;30:293-342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2009-0002

4. Kahn LG, Philippat C, Nakayama SF, et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: implications for human health. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2020;8:703-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30129-7

5. Dube E, Okuthe GE. Environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors in developing countries. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023;20:6667 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176667

6. Ullah S, Ahmad S, Guo X, Ullah S, Ullah S, Nabi G, et al. A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals. Frontiers in Endocrinology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;13:1084236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1084236

7. Tyc HJ, Kłodnicka K, Teresińska B, et al. Micro- and nanoplastics as disruptors of the endocrine system—a review of the threats and consequences associated with plastic exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2025;26:6156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136156

8. Bossio S, Ruffolo SA, Lofaro D, et al. Endocrine toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics, and advances in detection techniques for human tissues: a comprehensive review. Endocrines. 2025;6:23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines6020023

9. Yang S, Li M, Kong RYC, et al. Reproductive toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. Environ Int 2023;177:108002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.108002

10. Talaie A, Alaee S, Hosseini E, et al. Toxicological effects of micro/nano-plastics on human reproductive health: A review. Toxicol Lett 2025;412:1-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2025.06.021

11. Zhu X, Wang C, Duan X, et al. Micro- and nanoplastics: A new cardiovascular risk factor? Environ Int 2023;171:107662. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107662

12. Gore AC, Patisaul HB. Neuroendocrine disruption: historical roots, current progress, questions for the future. Front Neuroendocrinol 2010;31:395-399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.07.003

13. McLachlan JA, Dixon RL. Toxicologic comparison of experimental and clinical exposure to diethylstilbestrol during gestation. Adv Sex Steroid Horm Res 1977;3:309-36.

14. Herbst AL, Ulfelder H, Poskanzer DC. Adenocarcinoma of the vagina: association of maternal stilbestrol therapy with tumor appearance in young women. N Engl J Med 1971;284:878-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM197104222841604

15. Barker DJP. Maternal nutrition, fetal nutrition, and disease in later life. Nutrition. 1997;13:807-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-9007(97)00193-7

16. Faa G, Fanos V, Manchia M, et al. The fascinating theory of fetal programming of adult diseases: a review of the fundamentals of the Barker hypothesis. J Public Health Res 2024;13:1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036241226817

17. Gore AC. Developmental programming and endocrine disruptor effects on reproductive neuroendocrinology. Front Neuroendocrinol 2008;29:358-374. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2008.02.002

18. Waye A, Trudeau VL. Neuroendocrine disruption: more than hormones are upset. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 2011;14:270-291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2011.578273

19. Andersson N, Arena M, Auteri D, et al. Guidance for the identification of endocrine disruptors. EFSA J 2018;16:e05311.

20. Wagner M, Scherer C, Alvarez-Muñoz D, et al. Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. Nat Nanotechnol 2019;14:300-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-019-0424-z

21. Luo H, Tyrrell H, Bai J, et al. Fundamental, technical and environmental overviews of plastic chemical recycling. Green Chem 2024;26:11444–67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03127J

22. Gigault J, Halle AT, Baudrimont M, et al. Current opinion: what is a nanoplastic? Environ Pollut 2018;235:1030-1034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.024

23. EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain. Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food. EFSA J 2016;14:4501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4501

24. Hernandez LM, Xu EG, Larsson HCE, et al. Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles. Environ Sci Technol Lett 2017;4:280-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00187

25. Yee MS, Hii LW, Looi CK, et al. Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021;11:496. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020496

26. Amara I, Timoumi R, Graiet I, et al. Phthalates in the environment and human health. Environ Toxicol 2019;34:1034-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.22774

27. Ashari S, Karami M, Shokrzadeh M, et al. Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by phthalates. Toxicol Mech Methods 2020;30:427-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2020.1758980

28. Aung KH, Win-Shwe TT, Kanaya M, et al. Phthalate-induced neuronal apoptosis. J Toxicol Sci. 2014;39:217-29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2131/jts.39.217

29. Almeida S, Raposo A, Almeida-González M, Carrascosa C. Bisphenol exposure through food packaging. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2018;17:1503-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12388

30. Kaulgud RS, Belur S, Anagharani AM, Veeresh S, Shettar AK. Bisphenols and endocrine disruption. Discover Toxicol 2025;2:24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44339-025-00046-6

31. Mendonca K, Hauser R, Calafat AM, et al. Bisphenol A exposure in lactating women and infants. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2012;87:13-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0834-9

32. Ahmadpourmir H, Moradzehi M, Velayati M, et al. Bisphenol contamination in food products. Food Res Int 2025;211:116389. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116389

33. Mnif W, Hassine AI, Bouaziz A, et al. Effect of endocrine disruptor pesticides: a review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2011;17:2265-2303. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph8062265

34. Lemaire G, Mnif W, Mauvais P, et al. Activation of alpha- and beta-estrogen receptors by persistent pesticides in reporter cell lines. Life Sci 2006;79:1160-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2006.03.023

35. Kolpin DW, Furlong ET, Meyer MT, et al. Pharmaceuticals, hormones and contaminants in U.S. streams. Sci Total Environ 2000;248:115-122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(99)00535-5

36. Kumar V, Sharma N, Sharma P, et al. Endocrine disrupting pesticides and human health. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023;474:116623. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2023.116623

37. Sacco D, Brambilla P, Calzari L, et al. Dioxin, an endocrine disruptor, induces long term effects on DNA methylation in men after in-utero exposure. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2026;51:150-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04276-9

38. Chen SC, Liao TL, Wei YH, et al. TCDD effects on human embryonic development. Mol Hum Reprod 2010;16:361-372. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/molehr/gaq004

39. Kafouris D. Exposure Assessment in Dioxins & Dioxin-like PCBs. Food Risk Assess Europe 2025;3:0081E. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2903/fr.efsa.2025.FR-0081

40. Molinari F, Franco GA, Tranchida N, et al. Molecular mechanism of action of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the respiratory system. Int J Molecular Sci 2024;25:12540. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312540

41. León-Olea M, Martyniuk CJ, Orlando EF, et al. Current concepts in neuroendocrine disruption. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014;203:158-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.02.005

42. Combarnous Y, Diep Nguyen TM. Comparative overview of the mechanisms of action of hormones and endocrine disruptor compounds. Toxics 2019;7:5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics7010005

43. Munic Kos V, Arvidsson S, Islam B, et al. The intracellular free concentration of endocrine disrupting chemicals enables translation between cell-free and cell-based estrogenic activity assays. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2025;117:104750. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2025.104750

44. Karatoprak K, Cander S. Effects of endocrine disruptors on the neurological system. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences. TUBITAK; 2025. p. 1657–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.6127

45. Wang C, Xu J, Pan K, Xu Y, Yu J. Relationship between endocrine disruptors and neurodegenerative diseases: Systematic review and meta-analysis. iScience 2025;28:112779. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.112779

46. Kovacs K, Bodis J, Vass RA. Microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and oxidative stress: mechanisms and health implications. Int J Mol Sci 2025;27:399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010399

47. He K, Chen R, Xu S, et al. Environmental endocrine disruptor-induced mitochondrial dysfunction: a potential mechanism underlying diabetes and its complications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024;15:1422752. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1422752

48. Walker DM, Gore AC. Epigenetic impacts of endocrine disruptors in the brain. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017;44:1-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.09.002

49. Graceli JB, Dettogni RS, Merlo E, et al. The impact of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in the mammalian hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020;518:110997. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2020.110997

50. Gore AC. Neuroendocrine targets of endocrine disruptors. Hormones (Athens) 2010;9:16-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14310/horm.2002.1249

51 Corcoran J, Winter MJ, Tyler CR. Pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment: a critical review. Crit Rev Toxicol 2010;40:287-304. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/10408440903373590

52 Mennigen JA, Stroud P, Zamora JM, et al. Pharmaceuticals as neuroendocrine disruptors: lessons from fish on Prozac. J Toxicol Environ Health B 2011;14:387-412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2011.578559

53. Vitali C, Peters RJB, Janssen HG, Nielen MWF. Microplastics and nanoplastics in food, water, and beverages; part I. occurrence. Trends Analyt Chem 2023;159:116670. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2022.116670

54. Schecter A, Lorber M, Guo Y, et al. Phthalates in food packaging. Environ Health Perspect 2013;121:473-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1206367

55. Manzoor MF, Tariq T, Fatima B, et al. Bisphenol A contamination in food systems. Front Nutr 2022;9:104827. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1047827

56. Joksimovic N, Selakovic D, Jovicic N, et al. Nanoplastics in cosmetics and potential human exposure. J Nanomater 2022:6707819. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6707819

57. Shaaban M, Wang X.L; Song P, et al. Electronic waste as a source of microplastic pollution. Chemosphere 2024;346:100891. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2024.100891

58. Wolff Leal T, Tochetto G, Lima SVdM, et al. Nanoplastics and microplastics in agricultural systems: effects on plants and implications for human consumption. Microplastics 2025;4:16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4020016

59. Alofe O, Kisanga E, Inayat-Hussain SH, et al. Determining the endocrine disruption potential of industrial chemicals using an integrative approach: Public databases, in vitro exposure, and modeling receptor interactions. Environ Int 2019;131:104969. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.104969

60. Kortenkamp A. Ten years of mixing cocktails: A review of combination effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Environ Health Perspect 2007;115:98-105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9357

61. Zhao S, Dong J, Luo Z. The associations between exposure to mixed environmental endocrine disruptors and sex steroid hormones in men: a comparison of different statistical models. Sci Rep 2024;1426375. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76972-z

62. Ye T, Yang R, He S, et al. Synergistic endocrine disruption and cellular toxicity of polyethylene microplastics and bisphenol A in MLTC-1 cells and zebrafish. Sci Rep 2025;15:10752. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94902-5

63. Pan S, Li Z, Rubbo B, et al. Applications of mixture methods in epidemiological studies investigating the health impact of persistent organic pollutants exposures: a scoping review. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2025;35;°522–534. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-024-00717-3

64. Damiano A, Caioni G, D’Addario C, et al. The invisible influence: can endocrine disruptors reshape behaviors across generations? Stresses 2025;5:46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses5030046

65 Sharma RK, Kumari U, Kumar S. Impact of microplastics on pregnancy and fetal development: a systematic review. Cureus 2024;16:e60712. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.60712

66. Tian L, Zhang Y, Chen J, et al. Nanoplastics alter neuronal differentiation in the fetal brain. J Hazard Mater 2024;474:134800. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134800

67. Panneerselvam D, Murugesan A, Raveendran SK, et al. Microplastics exposure and pregnancy outcomes. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2025;304:P53-P62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.11.024

68. Ragusa A, Fanos V. Microplastics and nanoplastics in the brain. JPNIM 2025;14:e140206.

69. Xia, W. Unraveling the early-life impacts of environmental exposures: from fetal growth to child development. Toxics 2025;13:849. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13100849

70. Lv L, Lang X, Sun Y, et al. Detection of nanoplastics in blood and myocardial tissue. Environ Technol Innov 2025;40:104371. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2025.104371

71. Comisi FF, Comisi AM, Esposito E, Fanos V. Exposure to microplastics in biological matrices and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children: a systematic review. Nanomaterials 2026;16:618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100618

72. Murashov V, Geraci CL, Schulte PA, Howard J. Nano- and microplastics in the workplace. J Occup Environ Hyg 2021;18:489-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2021.1976413

73. Stefaniak AB, Johnson AR, du Preez S, et al. Exposure to airborne particles in occupational environments. Saf Health Work 2019;10:229-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2018.10.003

74. Dris R, Gasperi J, Saad M, et al. Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment? Mar Pollut Bull 2016;104:290-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.006

75. Ferronato N, Torretta V. Waste mismanagement in developing countries: a review of global issues. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019;16:1060. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16061060

76. Dube E, Okuthe GE. Plastic and micro/nanoplastic pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges, impacts, and solutions. World 2024;5:325-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/world5020018

77. Adeniran AA, Ayesu-Koranteng E, Shakantu W. A review of the literature on the environmental and health impact of plastic waste pollutants in Sub-Saharan Africa. Pollutants 2022;2:531-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pollutants2040034

78. Shomuyiwa DO, Onukansi FO, Ivanova M, Lucero-Prisno DE 3rd. The Plastic treaty: What is in it for Africa? Public Health Chall 2023;2:e83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.83

79. Babayemi JO, Nnorom IC, Osibanjo O, Weber R. Ensuring sustainability in plastics use in Africa: consumption, waste generation, and projections. Environ Sci Eur 2019;31:60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-019-0254-5

80. Ayeleru OO, Dlova S, Akinribide OJ, et al. Challenges of plastic waste generation and management in sub-Saharan Africa: A review. Waste Manag 2020;110:24-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.04.017

81. Dennison MS, Paramasivam SK, Wanazusi T, et al. Addressing plastic waste challenges in Africa: the potential of pyrolysis for waste-to-energy conversion. Clean Technol 2025;7:20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol7010020

82. Hira A, Pacini H, Attafuah-Wadee K, et al. Plastic waste mitigation strategies: a review of lessons from developing countries. J Dev Soc 2022;38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0169796X221104855

83. Mihai FC, Gündogdu S, Markley LA, Olivelli A, Khan FR, Gwinnett C, et al. Plastic pollution, waste management issues, and circular economy opportunities in rural communities. Sustainability 2022;14:20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010020

84. Behuria P. Ban the (plastic) bag? Explaining variation in the implementation of plastic bag bans in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 2021;39:1791-808. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654421994836

85. Nwafor N, Walker TR. Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill: A developing story of crass legalism aiming to reduce plastic marine pollution in Nigeria. Mar Policy 2020;120:104160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104160

86. Anthony J, Varalakshmi S, Kumar Sekar A, et al. Microplastics pollution in Indian marine environment: sources, effects and solutions. Front Marine Sci 2024;11:1512802. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1512802

87. Pandey A, Asif M. Assessment of energy and environmental sustainability in South Asia in the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev 2022;165:112492. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112492

88. Rifa T, Hossain MB. Micro plastic pollution in South Asia: the impact of plastic pollution over the unsustainable development goals. Lex Publica 2023;9(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.58829/lp.9.2.2022.01-28

89. Khuyen VTK, Le DV, Anh LH, Fischer AR, Dornack C. Investigation of microplastic contamination in vietnamese sea salts based on raman and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies. Environment Asia 2021;14:11.

90. Arif Y, Mir AR, Zieliński P, et al. Microplastics and nanoplastics: Source, behavior, remediation, and multi-level environmental impact. J Environ Manage 2024;356:120618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120618

91. Kochanek A, Grąz K, Potok H, et al. Micro- and nanoplastics in the environment: current state of research, sources of origin, health risks, and regulations—a comprehensive review. Toxics 2025;13:564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070564

92. Amobonye A, Bhagwat P, Raveendran S, et al. Microplastic pollution and environmental health risks. Front Microbiol 2021;12:768297. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.768297

93. Adegoke KA, Adu FA, Oyebamiji AK, et al. Microplastics toxicity, detection, and removal from water/wastewater. Mar Pollut Bull 2023;187:114546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114546

94. Majeed F, Razzaq A, Rehmat S, et al. Enhanced dye sequestration with natural polysaccharides-based hydrogels: A review. Carbohydr Polym 2024;330:121820. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121820

95. Schug TT, Johnson AF. Endocrine disruptors: past lessons and future directions. Mol Endocrinol 2016;30:833-847. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/me.2016-1096

96. Osuna-Laveaga DR, Ojeda-Castillo V, Flores-Payán V, Gutiérrez-Becerra A and Moreno-Medrano ED (2023) Micro- and nanoplastics current status: legislation, gaps, limitations and socio-economic prospects for future. Front. Environ. Sci. 11:1241939. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1241939 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1241939

97. Arju ZBZ, Hridi NA. Deep-learning enabled rapid low-cost detection of microplastics in consumer products. RSC Adv 2025;15:10473-83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA07991D

Ethics Approval

Ethical approval was not required for this study because it was based exclusively on previously published literature and did not involve human participants, animals, or personal data.

CRediT authorship contribution

Andrea Faa, Gavino Faa, Germano Orrù, conceptualization, methodology, supervision, project administration, writing – review & editing; Mara Lastretti, investigation, literature search, data curation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing; Monica Piras, investigation, literature search, data curation, writing – review & editing; Sara Vignini, Angelica Dessì, investigation, validation, writing – review & editing; Matteo Fraschini, Marco Piludu, Flaviana Cau, investigation, data curation, visualization, writing – review & editing; Vassilios Fanos, conceptualization, supervision, writing – review & editing. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Supporting Agencies

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Data Availability Statement

No datasets were generated during the current study. All information discussed in this manuscript was obtained from publicly available published sources, which are cited in the reference list

How to Cite



Neuroendocrine Disruptors and Micro-Nanoplastics in Low-Resource Settings: Emerging Threats to Environmental and Human Health. (2026). Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2026.15137