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Human Sweat-Mediated Aggregation of Nanoplastics as a Driver of Dermal Exposure

delete2026-07-12
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PRE
AI
Y
Yu Kong
X
Xiaona Li
N
Ning Liu
C
Chuang Ma
Y
Yi Wang
C
Chaoyi Deng
赵晓丽 cover
赵晓丽 (Xiaoli Zhao)
王震宇 (Zhenyu Wang) *
B
Baoshan Xing *
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.6c00119delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Nanoplastics inevitably interact with human sweat upon dermal contact, where their aggregation behavior governs the subsequent migration and penetration risks. However, the driving factors and underlying mechanisms have remained poorly understood. Herein, polyethylene nanoplastics (PENPs), the main type of nanoplastics detected in skin care products and airborne particles, were studied in batch experiments with data analyzed by machine learning. The nanoplastic concentration level (49.8%), photoaging (17.1%), and organic constituents (8.7%, mainly l-histidine) were identified as dominant factors governing aggregation. Increasing PENP concentration promoted aggregation, thereby reducing penetration possibility through sweat glands and hair follicle pores. In contrast, photoaging suppressed aggregation and elevated the penetration possibility of photoaged PENPs (APENPs). l-Histidine adsorbed on PENPs via electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interactions enhanced their dispersion and penetration possibility, whereas l-histidine promoted the aggregation of APENPs through cooperative LH-mediated electrostatic bridging among APENPs, thus reducing their penetration possibility. Moreover, model predictions indicated that higher penetration possibility in females, overweight individuals, trunk skin regions, and populations in China and Europe was attributed to higher dispersion due to lower particle concentration, stronger photoaging, and higher lactic acid in sweat. These findings contribute to understanding realistic exposure of PENPs and their molecular mechanisms of aggregation in sweat, thus providing useful insights into human health risks from dermal exposures.
Keywords:
human skin health
organic sweat constituents
photoaging
molecular interaction mechanism
machine learning
dermal penetration pathways

Journal

E
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
IF:
11.3
Papers:
1.9K
Citations:
1

Organization

T
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Scholars:
13
Papers: 11
Citations: 0
C
chinese research academy of environmental sciences
Scholars:
981
Papers: 341
Citations: 0
U
University of Massachusetts
Scholars:
765
Papers: 464
Citations: 3.5W
J
jiangnan university
Scholars:
6.4K
Papers: 1.9K
Citations: 0
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