Effects of Microplastics and Endocrine Disruptors on Animal Health

"With the industrial revolution, micropollutants have increasingly become a problem in ecosystems and have taken their place among global concerns. Industrial activities, agricultural practices, wastewater treatment, and the release of chemicals into nature result in various natural and synthetic pollutants. When these pollutants transfer from the environment to living organisms, they cause serious effects on human and animal health. Particularly, they disrupt the endocrine system, affecting hormonal balance and negatively impacting reproduction. Additionally, they can increase the risk of obesity by disrupting the immune system and affecting metabolism. The rising use of plastics has also highlighted microplastics as a significant pollutant. These microplastics, spreading through the food chain, can affect marine and terrestrial animals. Microplastics carried from terrestrial waste into waters, absorbing heavy metals, can cause toxic effects on marine life. Similarly, pesticides heavily used in agriculture and livestock can lead to toxic effects and health problems. In the fight against micropollutants, improving wastewater treatment systems, controlling industrial waste, and developing strategies to minimize pollutant release are crucial. Intersectoral cooperation and public awareness activities, along with integrated management approaches, are critical in overcoming this issue."