Microplastics – why are they everywhere within the body and where do they come from? A review

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in nearly all environmental compartments. The crucial routes of human exposure include the indoor environment, where the concentration of airborne fibers is higher than outdoors, the consumption of contaminated food, and contact with cookware, medical equipment, and personal care products made from or containing plastic. Depending on how MPs enter the body, through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact, they can reach a variety of organs. In this study, we focus on the detection of MPs and their consequences in several organs, which have not been sufficiently described in literature before, including the kidneys, placenta, testes, heart, brain, bone marrow, and in bodily secretions, namely semen and breast milk. To ensure the most accurate and up-to-date data, the presented results are based on papers published within the past three years. Experimental and clinical studies link exposure to MPs to oxidative stress, inflammation, dysbiosis, mitochondrial damage, fibrosis, and potential carcinogenic and neurotoxic effects. These mechanisms, occurring in the aforementioned tissues, raise concerns regarding fertility, fetal development, metabolic health, and neurodegeneration. However, further improvements in detection of MPs and contamination prevention methods are needed to minimize the potential health risks associated with exposure.