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Implications of COVID-19 pandemic on environmental compartments: Is plastic pollution a major issue?
Summary
This study assessed the effects of polystyrene microplastics on liver function and lipid metabolism in exposed mice, finding hepatic lipid accumulation, elevated liver enzymes, and altered expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism. The results suggest that chronic microplastic ingestion may contribute to metabolic liver disease through disruption of lipid homeostasis.
The COVID-19 anthropause has impacted human activities and behaviour, resulting in substantial environmental and ecological changes. It has assisted in restoring the ecological systems by improving, for instance, air and water quality and decreasing the anthropogenic pressure on wildlife and natural environments. Notwithstanding, such improvements recessed back, even to a greater extent, when considering increased medical waste, hazardous disinfectants and other chemical compounds, and plastic waste disposal or mismanagement. This work critically reviews the short- and long-term implications of measures against COVID-19 spreading, namely on human activities and different environmental compartments. Furthermore, this paper highlights strategies towards environmental restoration, as the recovery of the lost environment during COVID-19 lockdown suggests that the environmental degradation caused by humans can be reversible. Thus, we can no longer delay concerted international actions to address biodiversity, sustainable development, and health emergencies to ensure environmental resilience and equitable recovery.