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Microplastics and environmental effects: investigating the effects of microplastics on aquatic habitats and their impact on human health
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This review summarizes existing research on microplastics in aquatic environments and their effects on human health, noting that these particles have now been detected in human lungs, blood, liver, breast milk, and placenta. Microplastics can enter the body through food and air, disrupt the gut microbiome, and carry absorbed pollutants that may cause inflammation and other health problems. The authors call for improved removal technologies and stronger policies to reduce human exposure.
Microplastics (MPs) are particles with a diameter of <5 mm. The disposal of plastic waste into the environment poses a significant and pressing issue concern globally. Growing worry has been expressed in recent years over the impact of MPs on both human health and the entire natural ecosystem. MPs impact the feeding and digestive capabilities of marine organisms, as well as hinder the development of plant roots and leaves. Numerous studies have shown that the majority of individuals consume substantial quantities of MPs either through their dietary intake or by inhaling them. MPs have been identified in various human biological samples, such as lungs, stool, placenta, sputum, breast milk, liver, and blood. MPs can cause various illnesses in humans, depending on how they enter the body. Healthy and sustainable ecosystems depend on the proper functioning of microbiota, however, MPs disrupt the balance of microbiota. Also, due to their high surface area compared to their volume and chemical characteristics, MPs act as pollutant absorbers in different environments. Multiple policies and initiatives exist at both the domestic and global levels to mitigate pollution caused by MPs. Various techniques are currently employed to remove MPs, such as biodegradation, filtration systems, incineration, landfill disposal, and recycling, among others. In this review, we will discuss the sources and types of MPs, the presence of MPs in different environments and food, the impact of MPs on human health and microbiota, mechanisms of pollutant adsorption on MPs, and the methods of removing MPs with algae and microbes.
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This review examines how microplastics enter the human body through food, drinking water, and inhaled air, and summarizes what is known about their potential health effects. Researchers found that microplastics have been detected in human stool samples, blood, and lung tissue, and may carry harmful chemicals and pathogens. The study highlights that while evidence of direct health impacts is still emerging, the widespread presence of microplastics in everyday exposure pathways warrants serious attention.
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This comprehensive review summarizes how microplastics — found in air, water, and food — enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, and have been detected in organs including the lungs, liver, kidneys, placenta, and brain. Microplastic exposure has been associated with respiratory disorders, gut inflammation, reproductive toxicity, immune dysfunction, and potential neurological effects.
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This comprehensive review examines how microplastics enter the human body through food, water, and air, and what health effects they may cause. Researchers found evidence that microplastics can accumulate in the body and may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of gut bacteria. The study suggests that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health implications of ongoing human exposure to microplastics.
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which have been found in human blood, placenta, lung tissue, breast milk and stool. Lab and animal studies link microplastics to cell damage, inflammation and effects on several organs, but human health data remain limited, and the paper proposes a framework for future risk assessment.
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