Nanoplastic Contamination in Commercially Available Carbonated Beverages and Its Potential Human Health Consequences

Nanoplastics defined as plastic particles with diameters less than 100 nanometers, have become a growing concern due to their widespread presence in consumable goods. The small size and unique chemical properties of nanoplastics make them highly mobile & potentially hazardous to human health. Nanoplastic can enter the human body through the respiratory system via inhalation and, the digestive tract via consumption of contaminated food and water, which compromise immune defenses and increase susceptibility to infections. It influences microbial community dynamics by altering the balance between commensal and pathogenic species. Bioaccumulation of plastics in the human body can potentially lead to infectious diseases, including respiratory disorders like lung cancer and asthma. It can induce apoptosis in cells and have genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. The role of nanoplastics in altering ecological microbial communities and their potential to introduce novel pathogens highlight their contribution to the emergence of infectious diseases. These dynamics are critical for mitigating the risks posed by nanoplastics and require interdisciplinary research in the future.