Contrasting One Health With Microplastics

A rapidly growing global environmental and public health hazard is microplastic contamination. Uncontrolled usage of plastics and lack of appropriate disposal and recycling technology have led to increase the concentration of microplastic in environment. Microplastics, or plastic residues are considered to be omnipresent nowadays they are found in an aquatic and terrestrial environment as well as in air. These particles come from a variety of primary and secondary sources, they are basically released in environment by breaking down of bigger plastic material either due to physical withering, chemical reactions or biological activity. Microplastics act as vectors of environmental toxins by absorbing and transporting hazardous materials such as pesticides, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and persistent complex organic compounds. All life forms and environment are continuously exposed to microplastics via., consumption of microplastics contaminated food material, inhalation of microplastic particles in the air, and use of cosmetics containing microplastics. These particles penetrate physiological and cellular barriers and interfere with life processes. Their occurrence in human lungs, blood, placenta, and faeces have raised grave worries about possible bioaccumulation and long-term health implications. This review critically narrates the pros and cons of plastics, impact of microplastics with reference to one health and environment, their detection and possible bio-remediations.