Invisible Threats: Microplastics in Milk and Their Implications for Human and Animal Health

Plastics, being omnipresent on this planet, are expected to be found in varying amounts in the lithosphere and hydrosphere. The dangers of the accumulation of plastics in soil and water bodies have been studied in the past few decades. Another looming danger which has emerged in recent times is the accumulation of micro and nano plastics in life forms. The current review looks at various research done on the dangers of microplastics in the milk of animals, including human beings. Breast milk, which was supposed to be one of the purest substances, has also been shown to accumulate many chemicals and microplastic elements. This indeed highlights the gravity of the problem and the extent to which micro- and nano-plastics have permeated various species in the biosphere. In humans, it has been shown to affect the gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive and circulatory systems and has been indicated in some cancers too. The types of microplastics in milk, exposure routes, degradation studies, accumulation in animal tissues, the short- and long-term effects of microplastics on animals and humans, and mitigation strategies at the national and international levels form the essence of this review.