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Human Exposures to Microplastics
Summary
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of how humans are exposed to microplastics through food, water, air, and consumer products. Researchers discuss the various pathways by which microplastics enter the human body and review evidence of their detection in organs including the liver, lungs, colon, and placenta, as well as in blood, breast milk, and saliva. The study highlights the need for biomarker-based approaches to better understand the health implications of microplastic accumulation in human tissues.
Attributing to the contribution of plastics to enhancing the food safety as well as manufacturing disposable medical equipment, the usage of plastics and the subsequent generation of plastic wastes are enhancing day-by-day. Recently, due to the technological advancements, the traces of microplastics (MPs) with size <5 mm have been found in seawater, groundwater, tap water, soil, air, sediment, and various food items, including seafood, salt, bottled water, etc., causing numerous health effects to human beings. In the present chapter, the possible pathways of human exposure to MPs as well as the toxic effects of MPs on human beings have been comprehensively discussed. Also, a brief discussion on the use of biomarkers to elucidate the MP toxicity has been incorporated. Finally, a few case studies on the detection and concentration of MPs in human bodies, including liver, colon, spleen, lung, and placenta tissues, hand and face skin, hair, feces, and saliva, breastmilk, blood, and placenta samples have been included.