Microplastics Identified as Vectors for Toxins and Antibiotic Resistance

A review published in Energy & Environment Nexus reveals that microplastics act as 'pollutant shuttles,' transporting toxic chemicals and antibiotic resistance genes across water and soil ecosystems.

Researchers from Jiangxi Agricultural University found that nanoplastics smaller than 1 micrometer can cross biological membranes, while biofilms on plastic surfaces promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

The study proposes a three-tiered regulatory framework based on physical, chemical, and biological drivers to better assess ecological risks from microplastics after exposure periods exceeding 30 days.