Fate and Behavior of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Wastes

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have attracted greater attention in recent years due to their presence in water, soil, and air, causing irreversible damage to health and the environment. Recent studies have found MNPs in a variety of marine animals and plants, fresh water, and the air we breathe. Mainly because of the wrong disposal of plastic waste, plastic has been detected in diverse organs of the human body and has been associated with cancer, metabolic disorders, neurological conditions, etc. However, the identification of these particles, as well as the quantification, is still a problem. Furthermore, the behavior of plastic particles when entering the bodies of humans and animals has not yet been completely defined. Thus, in this chapter, we first talk about what MNPs are and where they can be found, discuss how these pollutants are analyzed and quantified in the different sources, what are the current studies on the management of solid waste, and alternatives and global legislative measures to minimize and control the production of MNPs.