Defining the size ranges of polystyrene nanoplastics according to their ability to cross biological barriers

Abstract

Environmental health and toxicology research on polystyrene nanoplastics has attracted considerable attention. However, from the perspective of ecotoxicity, the definition of polystyrene nanoplastic size has been insufficient. In this paper, we systematically described the adverse effects of nanoplastics of different sizes (i.e., 0–1000 nm) penetrating biological barriers, including the blood–brain barrier, blood–air barrier, intestinal barrier, placental barrier, blood–testis barrier, and skin barrier. Negative impacts strongly associated with polystyrene nanoplastics including neurotoxicity, enterotoxicity, reproductive and pulmonary toxicity. Defining nanoplastics based on their ability to bypass various environmental and biological barriers, rather than simply applying the size definition of engineered nanomaterials directly to nanoplastics, can contribute to a better understanding of these ubiquitous environmental pollutants, supporting the assessment of their ecological health risks, and allowing the development of more effective control measures.