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Global Plastic Waste Generation, Microfibres (MFs) Micro- and Nanoplastics (MNPs) Pollution and their Health-related Toxicities upon Exposure

2024
Abongile Gada, Sudhakar Muniyasamy, Shanganyane Percy Hlangothi, P. E. Melariri, Cathrine Hoyo

Summary

This review synthesizes global data on plastic waste generation, microfiber and micro/nanoplastic pollution, and associated health toxicities, covering routes of human exposure and documented effects across organ systems.

When post-consumer plastic waste enters the environment after its service life, it interacts with various chemical and physical environmental components or abrasive forces, thus leading to material degradation of bulk plastics to smaller particles through degradation. The secondary plastic particles formed are termed micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) based on the sizes of the diameters. These MNPs are identifiable in all types of aquatic habitats and terrestrial environments. MNPs, together with microfibres, can function as carriers or sources of plastic chemicals, consequently adsorbing other environmental chemical and biological pollutants. The extent to which MNPs and microfibres (MFs) will affect or enhance animal health toxicity by these chemical additives, as well as environmental chemical adsorbents, is still largely unknown. In this chapter, the generation of global plastic waste, together with MNP pollution in relation to animal exposure to health-related toxicities, is examined.

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