https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:3224 To Waste or Not to Waste: Questioning Potential Health Risks of Micro- and Nanoplastics with a Focus on Their Ingestion and Potential Carcinogenicity Gruber, Elisabeth S. Elisabeth S. Gruber Medical University of Vienna Kenner, Lukas Lukas Kenner 0000-0003-2184-1338 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna / Medical University of Vienna / University of Vienna / Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine Vethaak, A Dick A Dick Vethaak Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Wadsak, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wadsak Medical University of Vienna / Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine Suzanne D, Suzanne D. Suzanne D. Suzanne D University of Cambridge / Masaryk University Hollóczki, Oldamur Oldamur Hollóczki University of Bonn Trawoeger, Sibylle Sibylle Trawoeger Trawoeger Meisel, Thomas C. Thomas C. Meisel University of Leoben Todorovic, Andrea Andrea Todorovic University of Leoben Resch-Fauster, Katharina Katharina Resch-Fauster University of Leoben Stadlbauer, Vanessa Vanessa Stadlbauer Medical University of Graz / Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine Pichler, Verena Verena Pichler University of Vienna Springer text eng Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are recognized as emerging contaminants, especially in food, with unknown health significance. MNPs passing through the gastrointestinal tract have been brought in context with disruption of the gut microbiome. Several molecular mechanisms have been described to facilitate tissue uptake of MNPs, which then are involved in local inflammatory and immune responses. Furthermore, MNPs can act as potential transporters ("vectors") of contaminants and as chemosensitizers for toxic substances ("Trojan Horse effect"). In this review, we summarize current multidisciplinary knowledge of ingested MNPs and their potential adverse health effects. We discuss new insights into analytical and molecular modeling tools to help us better understand the local deposition and uptake of MNPs that might drive carcinogenic signaling. We present bioethical insights to basically re-consider the "culture of consumerism." Finally, we map out prominent research questions in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Estrogen-Receptor-Beta; Plastic Resin Pellets; Bisphenol-A; Polystyrene Nanoparticles; Protein Corona; Perinatal Exposure; Gut Microbiota; Cancer-Cells; Trace-Metals; Colon-Cancer http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/api/object/o:3224/download 10.1007/s12403-022-00470-8 https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:605 application/pdf Exposure and Health 15(1), 33-51 (2022) Exposure and Health 15 1 33 51 1.03 MB 2022