Microplastics and Mitochondria: How Plastic Pollution May Affect Cellular Energy (2026)
Microplastics (particles <5 mm) and nanoplastics (typically <1 μm) are increasingly recognized as potential disruptors of mitochondrial function. Mitochondria produce over 90% of the body's ATP (energy), regulate oxidative stress, control apoptosis (programmed cell death), and influence immune responses. Experimental research suggests that microplastics can impair many of these functions, although evidence in humans remains limited. How Microplastics Reach Mitochondria Humans are exposed through: Food and drinking water Seafood Airborne dust Plastic food packaging Synthetic textiles Personal care products While larger microplastics are less likely to enter cells, nanoplastics can cross biological barriers, enter cells through endocytosis, and accumulate in organelles, including mitochondria in laboratory models. Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Damage 1. Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) One of the earliest effects observed is increased mitochondri...