Data on the cytotoxicity of surfactants used to increase the dispersion of micro- and nanoplastics

This dataset therefore describes the cytotoxic effects of five surfactants, including four synthetic and one bio-surfactant, using two human cell lines (mimicking ingestion and inhalation exposure pathways). Data was gathered using cytotoxicity assays (MTT, NR, SRB) using two human cell lines, Caco-2 and Beas-2B. Absorbance was measured using a spectrometer and subsequently corrected for background absorbance and transformed to an absorbance relative to the untreated cells. The data aids in the selection of proper surfactants and urges the need for adequate solvent controls which could account for potential unknown effects of unreported surfactants in commercially available plastics.