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Microplastics and Their Effects: Environmental Distribution, Analytical Characterization, and Ecological and Human Health Implications
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which have been found in water, soil, air, dust, food and the human body. It covers how they are detected, how people may be exposed, and lab findings that some microplastics caused oxidative stress and inflammation in certain biological systems, while noting differences between studies make results hard to compare.
Microplastic pollution has become a widespread environmental concern due to the extensive use of plastic materials and their persistence in environment and possible interaction with biota. Microplastics are generally considered to be small pieces of plastic particles with a size less than 5 mm and they can originate either from fragmentation of larger plastic debris or from direct emissions from industrial, waste and consumer products. Microplastics have been detected in aquatic systems, terrestrial soils, atmospheric particles, indoor dust, food and the human body. This review critically covers the sources, environmental occurrences, analytical characterisation, pathways of exposure, and ecological and human health effects of microplastics. Attention was paid to recent advances in three innovative analytical techniques: FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC/MS, while contamination and quality controls were considered as well. Experimental evidences suggest that some microplastics are able to produce oxidative stress, inflammation and physiological effects in some biological systems. However, the existing differences in particle properties, experimental conditions, methods and endpoints, prevent comparisons and direct application of results to human exposure. This review points out urgent methodological and toxicological issues, priorities in pollution monitoring, exposure assessment, pollution abatement and risk management.
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Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects
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This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics are found throughout the environment and in human samples, entering the body through food, air, and skin contact. Lab studies in cells and animals show microplastics can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, immune reactions, brain toxicity, and reproductive harm, and early human health data links microplastic exposure to several chronic diseases.
Environmental exposure to microplastics: An overview on possible human health effects
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This review examines the potential health effects of human exposure to microplastics through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Researchers found that microplastic exposure may cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune system disruption, with the body's inability to break down synthetic particles potentially leading to chronic inflammation. The study emphasizes that while evidence of harm is growing, microplastic toxicity varies greatly depending on particle properties, concentration, and individual susceptibility.
The Gruesomeness of Microplastics: Food Contamination, Human Exposure, and Health Risks
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This review summarizes over 200 studies on tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which are found in air, soil, water, and food. It looked at how these particles enter the human body through eating, drinking, breathing, and skin contact, and discusses links to inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption reported in the research.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Analytical Methods, Ecotoxicity and Mitigation Strategies
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics and nanoplastics are detected, how they harm living things, and what strategies exist to reduce their spread. Key findings confirm these particles cause oxidative stress and inflammation across aquatic and land ecosystems, while also acting as carriers for other toxic chemicals — underscoring the need for standardized testing methods and stronger regulations.
Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Environment: Current State of Research, Sources of Origin, Health Risks, and Regulations—A Comprehensive Review
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This review summarizes the current state of research on micro- and nanoplastics found in air, water, and soil worldwide. These tiny plastic particles pose significant threats to human health including oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular damage, and possible cancer-causing effects, and the authors call for stronger regulations and more research into how they harm the body.
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