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Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminants, and their abundance in the entire ecosystem raises the question of how far is the impact of these MPs on the biota, humans, and the environment. Recent research has overemphasized the occurrence, characterization, and direct toxicity of MPs; however, determining and understanding their genotoxic effect is still limited. Thus, the present review addresses the genotoxic potential of these emerging contaminants in aquatic organisms and in human peripheral lymphocytes and identified the research gaps in this area. Several genotoxic endpoints were implicated, including the frequency of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear buds (NBUD), DNA strand breaks, and the percentage of DNA in the tail (%Tail DNA). In addition, the mechanism of MPs-induced genotoxicity seems to be closely associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammatory responses, and DNA repair interference. However, the gathered information urges the need for more studies that present environmentally relevant conditions. Taken into consideration, the lifestyle changes within the COVID-19 pandemic, we discussed the impact of the pandemic on enhancing the genotoxic potential of MPs whether through increasing human exposure to MPs via inappropriate disposal and overconsumption of plastic-based products or by disrupting the defense system owing to unhealthy food and sleep deprivation as well as stress. Overall, this review provided a reference for the genotoxic effect of MPs, their mechanism of action, as well as the contribution of COVID-19 to increase the genotoxic risk of MPs. [Display omitted] • The genotoxic effects of MPs are determined in somatic cells of aquatic organisms and human peripheral lymphocytes. • The mechanism of MPs-induced genotoxicity is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA repair disruption. • The COVID-19 pandemic contributes to the genotoxic potential of MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have useful properties, such as strong magnetism and compatibility with living organisms which is preferable for medical applications such as drug delivery and imaging. However, increasing use of these materials, especially in medicine, has raised concerns regarding potential risks to human health. In this study, IONPs were coated with silicon dioxide (SiO 2), citric acid (CA), and polyethylenimine (PEI) to enhance their dispersion and biocompatibility. Both coated and uncoated IONPs were assessed for genotoxic effects on Drosophila melanogaster. Results showed that uncoated IONPs induced genotoxic effects, including mutations and recombinations, while the coated IONPs demonstrated reduced or negligible genotoxicity. Additionally, bioinformatic analyses highlighted potential implications of induced recombination in various cancer types, underscoring the importance of understanding nanoparticle-induced genomic instability. This study highlights the importance of nanoparticle coatings in reducing potential genotoxic effects and emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive toxicity assessments in nanomaterial research. • Uncoated IONPs have both mutagenic and recombinogenic activity. • The IONPs were separately coated with three different coating materials. • SiO 2 , PEI and CA coatings reduced IONP genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many new pesticides are produced for use every year. Fungicides, one of the important subgroups of pesticides, are used to protect agricultural products from fungal infections. However, studies on the genotoxic potential of fungicides are still very limited. In this study, the genotoxic potentials of four commonly used fungicides (metiram, kresoxim-methyl, propamocarb and hymexazol) were investigated using the Drosophila Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) and the Drosophila Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis Test (Drosophila Comet Test). Drosophila, which has been widely used in genetic studies in recent years, provides a powerful system in the use of genetic and molecular approaches in human genetic diseases research. As a model organism, Drosophila is in many ways similar to human systems. According to the results obtained from the study, it was determined that 4 fungicides whose genotoxic effects were investigated by SMART method did not induce genotoxicity. In the KOMET experiment, it was determined that the studied fungicides caused DNA single strand breakage. This study provides new data on the potential effects of pesticides on human health and possible genetic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]