PET nanoplastics interactions with water contaminants and their impact on human cells

In recent years, many studies are focusing on the negative effects of plastic pollution, and in particular on the nanosized plastic fragments and their implications on the environment and human health. Nanoplastics in the environment interact with a great number of substances, many of which are dangerous to humans, but the interaction mechanisms, the complexes formation processes, and their biological impact are still poorly understood. Here we report a study on the interactions of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics, produced by laser ablation, with three different types of contaminants: glyphosate, levofloxacin and Hg2+ ions, and we demonstrate that the nanoplastics form complexes with all three contaminants through their favorable binding. Most importantly, this study highlights that to demonstrate the overall effect of the nanoplastics internalized by cells in vitro, it is important to combine alternative methodologies, such as metabolomics, with standard biological assays (i.e., cell viability and ROS production). In this way it becomes possible to better understand the body’s response to this new class of pollutants and their possible chronic toxicity. Summary: PET nanoplastics, fabricated by laser ablation, interact with aqueous pollutants forming nanoclusters. The nanoclusters affect the cells metabolism, suggesting long-term risks. [Display omitted] •PET-nanoplastics bind other contaminants such as glyphosate, levofloxacin and Hg2+ ions.•Nanoplastics-contaminant complexes are internalized by cells in vitro.•Cell viability and ROS production assays do not show short-term toxicological effects.•NMR metabolomics shows cellular physiology alterations with possible long-term impact.