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Micro‐ and Nanoplastics—An Invisible Threat to Human Health
Summary
This review describes micro- and nanoplastics as an invisible threat to human health, examining how their small size and chemical complexity make them difficult to detect and assess. The authors call for better analytical tools, standardized methods, and expanded epidemiological research.
Microplastics are microscopic plastic particles produced by the decomposition of plastics, which are prevalent in the surroundings and damage both nature and humanity. They were recognized in a wide array of aquatic animals, drinking water, and culinary items, such as salt and pre-packaged food. Microplastics and nanoplastics have grown rapidly owing to their occurrence in various ecosystem components. Humans are exposed through an assortment of pathways, including ingestion, inhalation, and skin interactions. Following consumption, the monomers of plastic can impede perilous biological functions in humans, causing fractures of the immunological and endocrine systems, as well as having a severe influence on reproduction, mobility, and development. The COVID-19 epidemic has influenced human health and the financial prudence of various nations. It also has an effect on the surroundings because of the enormous amount of waste in the form of abandoned personal shielding gear, with possibly calamitous long-term repercussions if speedy action is not performed. This chapter discusses microplastics and their means of exposure, contamination of food items, and effects on human and marine health.
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