Microplastics as potential source for environmental pollution: An updated review on Indian scenario Post Covid -19

Technological advancement has tremendously accelerated the promotion of microplastics in our environment. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the production and use of plastics in the form of facemasks, face shields and PPE kits across the globe has intensified and becomes a new environmental challenge. As scientific knowledge is limited concerning the source, exposure, toxicity, and bioavailability of microplastics in the surroundings, this review has been aimed to provide comprehensive information about microplastics present in the environment with special emphasis on their deposition and related increasing menace in India, during and after the COVID 19 period. We have focussed on the 5 key research needs, involving (1) the occurrence and abundance of microplastics (2) sources, fate, and occurence of microplastics in different media (water, air and soil), (3) toxicological implications of microplastics on human beings, (4) scenario of microplastics disposal during COVID-19 pandemic and (5) major challenges and future directions to curtail them. We suggest that addressing these knowledge gaps will lay the groundwork to counteract such environmental issues which are important to prevent them from exacerbating. Combating microplastic contamination can be achieved through an intensive and combined effort of all, including the stakeholders, researchers, educators, media and policymakers. We can join the effort to manage plastic in the environment by refusing, reducing, reusing and recycling the plastic products, to prolong every item’s life cycle as far as possible. A start would be a focus on limiting the use of single-use plastic products, especially if alternatives are readily available.