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Transport of microplastics in the body and interaction with biological barriers, and controlling of microplastics pollution

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2023 78 citations

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This review summarizes how microplastics enter the human body through food, water, and air, and what happens when they encounter the body's protective barriers like the gut lining, skin, and blood-brain barrier. Smaller microplastics can cross these barriers and accumulate in organs, potentially causing inflammation and other harmful effects. The review also covers emerging methods for removing microplastics from the environment to reduce human exposure.

Microplastics (MPs) are one novel environmental pollutant sized < 5 mm that is ubiquitously present in numerous environmental media and particularly susceptible to interact with various toxic chemicals. Importantly, MPs can enter the food chain, and are bio-enriched and bio-accumulated with trophic levels, eventually endangering ecosystems and human health. However, there need to be more understanding regarding the bio-interaction of MPs with the host, particularly for biological barriers. This review aimed to summarize the latest findings regarding the main exposure routes of MPs that generated health burdens on humans. Furthermore, their interactions with biological barriers that generate adverse health effects and the underlying mechanisms were also reviewed. Additionally, we provided a comprehensive overview of recent advances regarding the removing and controlling of MPs. Finally, we discussed the future directions for MPs hazard prevention to provide helpful information for regulating decision-making and guiding safer plastics applications.

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