We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity
Summary
This review provides a broad overview of how plastics break down into micro- and nanoplastics in soil, water, and air, and how these tiny particles are taken up by plants, animals, and humans. As plastics age in the environment, they become more reactive and potentially more toxic. The paper discusses how these particles enter the body, where they accumulate, and the toxic effects observed in studies so far.
Plastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few. Excessive use of plastics results in a lot of plastic waste buildup. Poorly managed plastic waste (as shown by heaps of plastic waste on dumpsites, in free spaces, along roads, and in marine systems) and the plastic in landfills, are just a fraction of the plastic waste in the environment. A complete picture should include the micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere, as the current extreme weather conditions (which are effects of climate change), wear and tear, and other factors promote MNP formation. MNPs pose a threat to the environment more than their pristine counterparts. This review highlights the entry and occurrence of primary and secondary MNPs in the soil, water and air, together with their aging. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization, by plants, animals, and humans are discussed, together with their toxicity effects. Finally, the future perspective and conclusion are given. The material utilized in this work was acquired from published articles and the internet using keywords such as plastic waste, degradation, microplastic, aging, internalization, and toxicity.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Research progress on the sources and toxicology of micro (nano) plastics in environment
This review covers sources, distribution, and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics across soil, water, and air, including effects on organisms and human health. It provides a comprehensive overview of the state of knowledge on environmental microplastic contamination and its consequences.
Microplastics and nanoplastics: Source, behavior, remediation, and multi-level environmental impact
This review summarizes existing research on where microplastics and nanoplastics come from, how they move through air, water, and soil, and their toxic effects on living organisms from marine life to humans. Once ingested, these particles accumulate in the body over time through a process called bioaccumulation and can become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. The authors highlight that effectively addressing plastic pollution will require combining cleanup technologies with strong regulatory policies.
Microplastics in the Environment: Uptake, Bioaccumulation and Impacts on Plants, Animals and Humans Health: A Review
This review examines microplastic uptake, bioaccumulation, and health impacts across plants, animals, and humans. The study summarizes current evidence on how microplastic particles smaller than 5 mm have been detected in all environmental compartments and are entering biological systems through multiple exposure pathways.
Microplastics in the Environment: Uptake, Bioaccumulation and Impacts on Plants, Animals and Humans Health: A Review
This review comprehensively examines microplastic contamination across all environmental compartments including soil, air, water, and oceans, and their detection in food, animals, and humans. The study summarizes how humans are exposed to microplastics through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption, and discusses the bioaccumulation of these particles in plants, animals, and human tissues.
Emergence of Nanoplastic in the Environment and Possible Impact on Human Health
This review examines how plastic materials fragment into nanoplastics and potentially accumulate in the environment, with a focus on their possible impacts on human health. Researchers discuss how these tiny particles can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, and describe how they interact with cells at the molecular level. The study highlights that nanoplastics behave very differently from larger plastics due to their size and surface properties, raising concerns that warrant further investigation.