MICROPLASTICS AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS IN HUMAN HEALTH: FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO CELLULAR AND EPIGENETIC IMPACT

Oliana CARNEVALI | Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell’ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

The exponential increase in plastic production and its ubiquitous environmental presence have resulted in widespread human exposure to microplastics (MPs) and plastic-associated endocrine disruptors. Emerging evidence highlights the infiltration of MPs into the human body, MPs have now been identified in critical biological matrices, including placenta, breastmilk, meconium, blood etc... Their presence, even in term physiological pregnancies, raises concerns about maternal-fetal exposure. Transmission electron microscopy has further localized MPs within the intracellular compartments of placental cells, potentially disrupting organelle function. Alterations in mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum morphology suggest that MPs may induce cellular stress responses such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation—hallmarks of metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Beyond physical plastic particles, attention is turning to plastic-associated chemicals such as BPA. Known for its endocrine-disrupting properties, BPA mimics estrogen and interferes with hormone signaling, especially in reproductive systems. Recent studies highlight its epigenetic impact, altering chromatin structure without modifying DNA sequences and potentially inducing heritable changes in gene expression. These modifications may contribute to long-term reproductive dysfunction and transgenerational health effects. In experimental models, such as zebrafish, BPA exposure has been shown to damage intestinal architecture, alter gut microbiota, and impair liver metabolism. Interestingly, co-administration of probiotics partially mitigated BPA’s toxic effects by restoring gut and liver homeostasis and supporting beneficial bacterial populations. Sex-specific responses were also observed, underlining the complexity of BPA’s pleiotropic toxicity and the need for targeted therapeutic strategies. Together, these findings underscore the profound impact of plastic-derived pollutants on human biology, from cellular ultrastructure to systemic physiology and epigenetic inheritance. The presence of MPs and endocrine disruptors in the human body is no longer hypothetical—it is a pressing public health issue. Addressing this challenge requires multidisciplinary approaches that integrate environmental science, toxicology, molecular and cellular biology, and preventive medicine. As we move forward, it is crucial to strengthen biomonitoring efforts, investigate long-term health outcomes, and explore intervention strategies such as microbiota-targeted therapies to mitigate these exposures' adverse effects.