We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Approach to an answer to “How dangerous microplastics are to the human body”: A systematic review of the quantification of MPs and simultaneously exposed chemicals
Summary
This review found that despite extensive studies on microplastic abundance in the environment, their actual health risks to humans remain unknown due to the lack of clinical studies and standardized identification methods. The authors argue that risk assessment must account for chemicals migrating from plastic products alongside the microplastics themselves.
This review aims to facilitate future research on microplastics (MPs) in the environment using systematic and analytical protocols, ultimately contributing to assessment of the risk to human health due to continuous daily exposure to MPs. Despite extensive studies on MP abundance in environment, identification, and treatment, their negative effects on human health remain unknown due to the lack of proof from clinical studies and limited technology on the MP identification. To assess the risk of MPs to human health, the first step is to estimate MP intake via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact under standardized exposure conditions in daily life. Furthermore, rather than focusing on the sole MPs, migrating chemicals from plastic products should be quantified and their health risk be assessed concurrently with MP release. The critical factors influencing MP release and simultaneously exposed chemicals (SECs) must be investigated using a standardized identification method. This review summarises release sources, factors, and possible routes of MPs from the environment to the human body, and the quantification methods used in risk assessment. We also discussed the issues encountered in MP release and SEC migration. Consequently, this review provides directions for future MP studies that can answer questions about MP toxicity to human health.