Nanoplastics in Food Systems: From Chemical Co-Contamination to Human Health Risks

The ubiquity of nanoplastics (NPLs) in the environment represents an emerging global concern, with significant implications for food safety and human health. Derived from the degradation of larger plastics, NPLs possess unique physicochemical characteristics, such as high surface area and adsorption capacity, making them potential vectors for a diverse range of chemical contaminants, including persistent organic pollutants and non-essential elements. Ingestion of these NPLs through the food chain is a critical exposure route, raising questions about the combined toxicological risks. Current research demonstrates that exposure to NPLs can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and cytotoxicity. However, understanding the mechanisms of co-contamination, the bioavailability of transported contaminants, and the long-term impacts on human health are still essential gaps that this topic aims to address.This Research Topic aims to advance knowledge on how NPLs in food systems interact with chemical co-contaminants and the resulting risks to human health. Central objectives include elucidating adsorption/desorption mechanisms in food matrices, assessing bioaccumulation and trophic transfer, and investigating synergistic toxicological effects. By integrating multidisciplinary perspectives from analytical chemistry and toxicology, we seek to provide a robust scientific basis for future risk assessments and food safety guidelines.The scope of this Research Topic covers the direct and indirect biological implications of NPL contamination in food systems, emphasizing their interaction with other pollutants and the subsequent impact on human health. We invite submissions that utilize interdisciplinary approaches to explore these dynamics. We encourage articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:• Occurrence and characterization of NPLs in various food matrices;• Adsorption and desorption mechanisms of chemical contaminants in NPLs in food environments;• Bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer of NPLs and co-contaminants in the food chain;• In vitro and in vivo toxicological assessment of combined effects on human health;• Development of innovative analytical methods for detection and quantification in food;• Risk assessment and regulatory implications for food safety.Authors are invited to submit original research papers, comprehensive reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and methods papers. Topic editors: Tatiana Pedron, Bruna Moreira Freire Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78070/nanoplastics-in-food-systems-from-chemical-co-contamination-to-human-health-risks