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Microplastics in the environment: prevalence, fate, impacts, and mitigation
Summary
Researchers reviewed the global spread of microplastics — particles smaller than 5mm — across oceans, freshwater, soil, air, and human food, summarizing the environmental and health risks they pose and identifying critical gaps in knowledge about airborne microplastic distribution, with a focus on limited data from Pakistan.
Microplastics (MPs) are generally defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm.Global microplastic pollution has aroused an emerging concern.They are persistent in the nature and pose substantial environmental and health consequences.Their omnipresence is documented in aquatic habitats, atmospheric and terrestrial environments, and in human consumables.To date, however, information on the distribution, shape, and size of microplastics in the air and other environments are scarce.The objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of the prevalence of the microplastics in environmental compartments, their possible adverse impacts, and potential mitigation measure.In addition, review of limited studies conducted in Pakistan will be presented.
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