Plastic pollution is everywhere. What does it mean for our kidneys? 

As concerns rise about the effects of tiny plastic particles on human health, Flinders University researchers investigate risks to kidney health.

As plastic pollution continues to accumulate in our environment, scientists are increasingly concerned about the potential health impacts of tiny plastic particles that can enter our bodies. Millions of tonnes of microplastics are breaking down into even smaller nanoplastic particles, which are now found throughout the environment and food chain. Researchers warn that rising levels of plastic waste are contributing to widespread microplastic and nanoplastic pollution that could pose risks to human health.

A growing concern for kidney health

The issue is particularly significant given Kidney Health Australia says 2.7 million Australians, or about 1 in 7 Australians aged over 18 years old, are living with signs of kidney disease. Diabetes, hypertension and other conditions can reduce kidney function, leading to waste build-up in your body, and harmful impact on health. As the kidneys act as the body's major blood filtering system, researchers are working to understand whether emerging pollutants such as nanoplastics could pose additional risks to kidney health.

To help answer that question, Flinders University researchers have led new research investigating whether nanoplastics can accumulate in, or cause damage to, kidney cells. Their study examined how different types and concentrations of nanoplastics affect the body's major blood-filtering system and found that higher nanoplastic burdens can compromise kidney cell health and function.

What researchers found

The study found that while lower concentrations of nanoplastics may not result in immediate toxicity during short-term exposure, higher levels can affect cell health and function, causing changes to cell shape, survival and regulation. Researchers also found that the effects varied depending on the type of plastic and particle size, with some combinations producing significant cellular changes even at relatively low doses.

“The findings demonstrate that while lower concentrations of nanoplastics (less than 1 micron or 0.001mm in diameter) may not result in immediate toxicity to the kidney cells, particularly in terms of short-term exposure, higher burdens can compromise overall cell health and function, causing changes to the cell shape, survival and cell regulation,” says first author Hayden Gillings, a PhD Candidate in Nanoplastics and Health at Flinders University.

“The results also indicate that the effects are influenced not only by concentration but also by polymer composition and particle size, with some combinations inducing significant cellular changes even at relatively low doses.”

The research team says sustained or repeated damage to regulatory kidney cells could impair kidney function, reduce filtration efficiency and clearance capacity, and potentially lead to the build-up of nanoplastics in kidney tissue over time.

Looking beyond the laboratory

Associate Professor Melanie MacGregor, who leads the Nano and Microplastics Research Consortium at Flinders University, says the findings highlight the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of nanoplastics on human health.

“Rising levels of plastic waste are breaking down in every part of Earth’s land, sea and air, leading to the proliferation of microplastic (pieces less than 5mm) and nanoplastic pollution posing a risk to all lifeforms” she says. “Millions of tonnes of microplastics can break down into even smaller nanoplastic particles and lead to chemical leakages.”

“With these plastics now commonly present throughout the environment, we need a better understanding of how factors such as concentration, particle size, polymer type and chemical additives influence potential health outcomes.”

The researchers say further long-term, real-world studies are needed to fully assess the risks posed by environmental nanoplastics to kidney health and broader human health outcomes, including potential DNA damage and long-term functional consequences.

The laboratory study tested kidney cells exposed to varying concentrations and sizes of nanoplastics made from commonly used plastics including polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyethylene (PE). The work was supported by medical scientists from Monash University as well as Flinders University's College of Medicine and Public Health.

Associate Professor MacGregor says reducing plastic pollution at its source remains critical.

“Tougher measures should be taken to reduce the release of chemicals and pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and micro- and nanoplastics to the environment, food chain and living organisms, both during production and after use.”

The new article, ‘Nanoplastic toxicity and uptake in kidney cells: differential effects of concentration, particle size, and polymer type’ (2026), Hayden Louis Gillings, Darling M Rojas-Canales, Soon Wei Wong, Kaustubh R Bhuskute, Amandeep Kaur, Iliana Delcheva, Jonathan M Gleadle and Melanie MacGregor by has been published in Cell Biology and Toxicology (Cell) DOI: 10.1007/s10565-025-10135-2.

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship Grant (FT200100301), Flinders Foundation and the Flinders Medical Centre Renal Research Fund.

Thanks to the NCRIS and Government of SA-enabled Australian National Fabrication Facility – South Australian Node (ANFF-SA) and Microscopy Australia.