Diagnosis of micro- and nanoplastic exposure in humans: current status and prospects, technological advances, and clinical implications

The diagnostics of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics represents an emerging and rapidly evolving field at the intersection of environmental medicine, toxicology, and biomedical sciences. Recent technological advances, including the development of spectroscopic, microscopic, and high-resolution analytical techniques, have enabled the detection of microplastic particles in biological samples such as blood, tissues, and placenta. Despite these achievements, the detection of nanoplastics remains challenging due to their extremely small size, lack of methodological standardization, and the risk of sample contamination. Increasing evidence suggests potential clinical implications of micro- and nanoplastic exposure, including their involvement in inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and the development of cardiovascular, neurological, and autoimmune diseases. Future directions will focus on the identification of reliable biomarkers of exposure and biological effects, integration of omics approaches, and the application of artificial intelligence in data analysis. Advancing this field may significantly improve our understanding of environmental impacts on human health and support the development of novel diagnostic and preventive strategies.