The intensification of industrial activities and the rapid global rise in plastic consumption have turned micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) into a persistent source of pollution within environmental and biological systems. Numerous studies have now demonstrated that these particles are not only taken into the body through inhaled air, drinking water, and food, but also enter the circulation and reach various tissues. Recent analyses of human arterial tissue have revealed that MNPs can accumulate within atherosclerotic plaques, bringing their potential associations with cardiovascular diseases into focus.

This book chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the sources of micro- and nanoplastic exposure, their biological distribution, potential mechanisms of vascular tissue accumulation, and the relationship between environmental pollution and atherosclerosis. It also discusses current clinical evidence, offers an interpretation of existing knowledge, and highlights future research directions.