Effect of microplastics in animals and humans

The present article describes about the ill effects of microplastics in animals and humans. During manufacture or usage of plastic, particles ranging from 1-5 microns enter into the environment, water and foods. Plastics will be degraded by hydrolytic, photo, thermo-oxidative and biodegradation processes. The major degradation products are polycyclic aromatic carbon compounds, formaldehyde, formic acid, acetaldehyde acetic acid and other aldehydes and acids which are carcinogens. Phthalates and Bisphenol-A are the major chemicals added to plastic products during their manufacture apart from flame retardants, pigments and antifouling agents. The rate at which these chemicals release depends on permeability, volatility, size, concentration, temperature and pH. Microplastics can absorb pollutants and acts as vector for pollutants and microorganisms, which enter into the water and food, finally reaches animal and human bodies. Various types of pollutants like trace metals, organic compounds like insecticides and antibiotics. Microplastics cause damage to immune system, damage cells, cause inflammation and damage to gut micro-biome. Other effects are cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, abnormal fetal development, changes in reproductive system and metabolic effects such as insulin resistance and obesity. Microplastics have been found in freshwater animals and invertebrates. Microplastics could pass through gut wall and soft tissues and retained in the body for longer periods. Microplastics can pass through food chains via various trophic levels and the concentration increased as the trophic levels increases.