Health Citizens – European Research Institute

PFAS and Microplastics

PFAS and Microplastics: An Emerging Toxic Relationship

Modern societies are increasingly exposed to a complex mixture of synthetic chemicals and plastic-derived particles that persist in the environment and accumulate within the human body for years. Among these contaminants, microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as two of the most ubiquitous and concerning pollutants. Their widespread presence in air, water, food, and biological tissues highlights the extent to which they have become integrated into natural and human systems1,2.

Microplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres, encompassing a broad spectrum of sizes, shapes, and polymer compositions. They originate from the fragmentation of larger plastic debris or are directly manufactured for industrial and consumer applications.3 

PFAS, on the other hand, constitute a diverse family of synthetic compounds extensively used for their water, grease, and stain-resistant properties. They can be found in a wide range of everyday products, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, textiles, personal care products, and various industrial applications. Their chemical stability, which underlies their commercial utility, also renders them highly persistent in the environment and poorly eliminated by biological systems. As a result, PFAS accumulate in soils, waters, wildlife, and human tissues. This persistence has led to their characterization as “forever chemicals” and has motivated growing regulatory and scientific attention4,5.

Although often studied separately, growing evidence suggests that PFAS and microplastics form interconnected components of a shared exposure system. Beyond mere coexistence, recent evidence suggests that microplastics may actively facilitate the transport and redistribution of persistent chemicals, including PFAS. Climate change further amplifies these processes by accelerating plastic fragmentation, altering pollutant distribution, and increasing human contact with contaminated environments2,3.

The health implications of this interaction are of particular relevance to the central nervous system. Both PFAS and microplastics have been shown to cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), interacting with neural cells, and triggering inflammatory and neurotoxic processes. Such mechanisms provide a plausible link between environmental exposure and cognitive impairment, affective and mood disorders, and altered neurodevelopment6,7,8.

Taken together, these findings point to a converging contamination pathway in which microplastics and PFAS interact to form a potentially synergistic threat to human health. Understanding the dynamics of this partnership and its consequences for brain function represents a critical challenge for environmental science, toxicology, and public health. Addressing this emerging risk will require integrated approaches that combine environmental monitoring, mechanistic research, and evidence-based policy interventions.

References:

  1. Prüst, M., Meijer, J., Westerink, R.H.S. (2020). The plastic brain: neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. Part Fibre Toxicol. 17(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s12989-020-00358-y. 
  2. Ma, M., Coulon, F., Tang, Z., Hu, Z., Bi, Y., Huo, M., Song, X. (2025). Unveiling the Truth of Interactions between Microplastics and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Microplastics as a Carrier of PFASs and Beyond. Environ Sci Technol. 59(4):2211-2221. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c08898. 
  3. Freilinger, J., Kappacher, C., Huter, K., S. Hofer, T., O. Back, J., W. Huck, C., Bakry, R. (2025) Interactions between perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs): Findings from an extensive investigation. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, Volume 18. doi: 0.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100740.
  4. Sunderland, E.M., Hu, X.C., Dassuncao, C., Tokranov, A.K., Wagner, C.C., Allen, J.G. (2019). A review of the pathways of human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and present understanding of health effects. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 29(2):131-147. doi: 10.1038/s41370-018-0094-1.
  5. Cao, Y., Ng, J. (2021). Absorption, distribution, and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the brain: a review. Environ Sci Process Impacts. 23(11):1623-1640. doi: 10.1039/d1em00228g. PMID: 34533150.
  6. Sukhram, S.D.; Kim, J.; Musovic, S.; Anidugbe, A.; Corte, E.; Ahsan, T.; Rofail, S.; Mesquita, N.; Padilla, M. (2025). PFAS Exposure, Mental Health, and Environmental Justice in the United States: Impacts on Marginalized Communities. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 22, 1116. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22071116.
  7. Cho, Y., Seo, E.U., Hwang, K.S., Kim, H., Choi, J., Kim, H.N. (2024). Evaluation of size-dependent uptake, transport and cytotoxicity of polystyrene microplastic in a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. Nano Convergence 11, 40. doi: 10.1186/s40580-024-00448-z
  8. Liu, S., He, Y., Yin, J., Zhu, Q., Liao, C., Jiang, G. (2024). Neurotoxicities induced by micro/nanoplastics: A review focusing on the risks of neurological diseases. J Hazard Mater. 2469:134054. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134054.