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Microplastics: the hidden danger
Summary
This review assessed the growing body of evidence on how microplastics and nanoplastics may affect human health, drawing from studies across multiple databases over the past decade. Researchers found that these tiny plastic particles are now considered emerging contaminants that can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, with potential effects on multiple organ systems. The study emphasizes that children may be particularly vulnerable and calls for more research into long-term exposure effects.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of microplastics/nanoplastics (MiP/NP) on human health. DATA SOURCE: The authors conducted a narrative review of articles published in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish in the last decade in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and SciELO. The keywords used in this search were: microplastics OR nanoplastics OR marine litter OR toxicology OR additives AND human health OR children OR adults. DATA SYNTHESIS: MiP is a group of emerging contaminants that have attracted increasing scientific interest and attention from society in the last decade due to their ubiquitous detection in all environments. Humans can be mainly exposed to MiP and NP orally, by inhalation, by dermal contact, as well as through systemic routes and cannot be neglected, especially in young children. The possible toxic effects in different systems are due to plastic particles, often combined with leachable additives and adsorbed contaminants. CONCLUSIONS: Unless the plastics value chain is transformed in the next two decades, the risks to species, marine ecosystems, climate, health, economies and communities will become unmanageable. However, alongside these risks lie unique opportunities to lead the transition to a more sustainable world.