The distribution of nano- and microplastics in the human body: a hybrid perfusion-diffusion based PBK model

Key Points

• The aim is to model and predict how nano- and microplastics distribute in the human body based on inhalation and ingestion exposure.
• Developed a probabilistic PBK model to capture polydisperse nano- and microplastic kinetics.
• Calibrated the model using mouse data to estimate human exposure profiles from inhalation and ingestion.
• Analyzed transport mechanisms transitioning from perfusion to diffusion based on particle size.
• The model predicts organ-specific particle numbers and size distributions in humans based on exposure routes.
• Inhalation and ingestion lead to distinct kinetic profiles dominated by fecal excretion.
• Particle transport mechanisms were confirmed to shift smoothly with varying particle sizes.