Electrostatic Charge of Nanoplastics and Its Impact on the Biosphere

Abstract

Plastic debris continuously fragments into microplastics and nanoplastics that are now ubiquitous across environmental compartments and biological systems. While research has traditionally focused on chemical toxicity, increasing evidence indicates that the electrostatic properties of nanoplastics play a critical role in their environmental behavior and biological effects. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the electret-like behavior of nanoplastics, emphasizing charge accumulation, triboelectric recharging, and size-dependent enhancement of surface charge density. Available studies demonstrate that electrostatic interactions influence nanoplastic transport, barrier penetration, tissue accumulation, and ecosystem-wide distribution, highlighting electrostatic charge as an underestimated determinant of nanoplastic bioavailability and potential toxicity.