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Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution
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This review synthesizes the occurrence, sources, human health impacts, and mitigation approaches for microplastic pollution in terrestrial and aquatic environments, identifying domestic and industrial drainage, agricultural runoff, and wastewater treatment plant effluent as major contributors. The authors highlight that MPs have been found in human food and air samples, that ingestion and inhalation may cause adverse health effects, and that regulatory frameworks are being developed globally to address this growing concern.
AbstractThe presence and accumulation of plastic and microplastic (MP) debris in the natural environment is of increasing concern and has become the focus of attention for many researchers. Plastic debris is a prolific, long-lived pollutant, that is highly resistant to environmental degradation, readily adheres hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants and is linked to morbidity and mortality in numerous aquatic organisms. The prevalence of MPs within the natural environment are a symptom of continuous and rapid growth in synthetic plastic production and mismanagement of plastic waste. Many terrestrial and marine-based processes, including domestic and industrial drainage, maritime activities agricultural runoff and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent, contribute to MP pollution in aquatic environments. MPs have been identified in food consumed by human and in air samples, and exposure to MPs via ingestion or inhalation could lead to adverse human health effects. Regulations in many countries have already been established or will soon be implemented to reduce MPs in aquatic environments. This review focuses on the occurrence, sources, and transport of MPs in terrestrial and aquatic environments to highlight potential human health effects, and applicable regulations to mitigate impacts of MPs. This study also highlights the importance of personality traits and cognitive ability in reducing the entry of MPs into the environment.
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Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution
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This review surveys the sources, occurrence, and potential human health impacts of microplastic pollution across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. Researchers found that microplastics originate from a wide range of sources including textiles, packaging, and wastewater treatment plants, and can carry toxic chemicals into ecosystems. The study highlights the need for improved waste management strategies and further research into the long-term health effects of chronic microplastic exposure.
Microplastics in Environmental Setting: A Review on Sources, Exposure Routes and Potential Toxicities on Human Health
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This review examines microplastics in environmental settings, synthesizing current knowledge on sources, distribution across terrestrial and aquatic compartments, fate processes, and ecological consequences. The authors identify priority research areas needed to address remaining uncertainties in microplastic risk assessment.
Microplastics in Natural Waters: Occurrence, Risks and Mitigation Strategies
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A comprehensive synthesis of microplastic research in natural waters documents their sources, transport dynamics, and toxicological effects on aquatic organisms—including immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity—while noting that most laboratory exposure concentrations remain unrealistically high compared to field conditions. Bridging this gap between experimental design and environmentally relevant exposures is essential for producing credible human health risk assessments from microplastic ingestion and inhalation.
Sources and distributions of microplastics and the hazards to plants, animals and human health:A review.
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This review examines the sources, distribution, and health impacts of microplastics on plants, animals, and humans. Researchers found that microplastics enter organisms through multiple exposure pathways and can adsorb heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants due to their large surface area, potentially amplifying adverse effects on metabolism and overall health.
Microplastic in the Aquatic Environment and their Impact on Aquatic Organisms and Humans: A Review
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This review summarizes research on microplastic occurrence across marine water, freshwater, drinking water, wastewater, food, and air, characterizing microplastics as the most hazardous emerging contaminants of the 21st century given their ubiquity and persistence. The review underscores that human exposure through multiple simultaneous pathways — including food, water, and respiration — makes understanding cumulative health risks a critical research and public health priority.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.