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Microplastics as Emerging One Health Threats: A Molecular and Ecotoxicological Review Across Aquatic Life with Emphasis on Fish
Summary
This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic particles polluting our water can seriously harm fish, damaging their organs, disrupting hormones, and even carrying toxic hitchhikers like heavy metals and pesticides deeper into their bodies. Since these contaminated fish end up in the food we eat, and microplastics are also found in our water, air, and soil, this pollution likely affects human health too — though more research is needed to fully understand the risks. The authors argue we need coordinated global action treating animal, environmental, and human health as connected (called "One Health") to tackle this growing problem.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly detected environmental contaminants in both marine and freshwater ecosystems, with reported concentrations ranging from a few to thousands of particles per cubic meter depending on location and methodology. Although growing evidence suggests potential risks to aquatic organisms, the extent of their ecological and biological impacts is still under active investigation. Their size, persistence and capacity to transport chemical additives and co-contaminants allow them to enter biological systems by ingestion and respiration. When ingested, MPs cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, resulting in the destruction of vital tissues in major body organs including liver, gills, intestines, and brain. They also change gene expression, cause endocrine and immune pathway perturbation, induce apoptosis, and cause gut microbiome dysbiosis, all of which worsen the health and survival of the organism. MPs also serve as vectors of heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides, and pathogens and enhance toxicity due to the Trojan horse effect and enable bioaccumulation in food webs. Due to their widespread presence in water, soil, air, and food, MP pollution has direct effects on human, animal, and ecosystem health. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources of MPs, the mode of exposure, and the mechanism of toxicity and new ecological implications. It also presents mitigation measures, and stresses a One Health paradigm as the key to taking concerted action on the international level to minimize MP pollution and protect both the environment and human health.