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Environmental health impacts of microplastics exposure on structural organization levels in the human body
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This review examines how microplastic exposure could affect the human body at every level, from chemical interactions to cells, tissues, organs, and whole-body systems. People are exposed to microplastics through food, air, and skin contact, and the particles can cause harm through their toxic chemical components, the pollutants they carry, and physical damage to tissues. The authors emphasize that standardized research methods and stronger pollution regulations are urgently needed to protect public health.
The ubiquitous prevalence of microplastics pollution has raised concerns about microplastics' potential risks and impacts on the global environment. However, the potential human health risks and impacts of microplastics remain largely unexplored. By providing an overview regarding the interaction of microplastics and human health, this review extends current knowledge on the potential impacts of microplastics pollution on humans from an environmental health perspective. The paper firstly presents the characteristics of microplastics as well as the status of global microplastics pollution. As for human health, the potential hazards of microplastics are reflected by toxic chemical components, vectors of contaminants, and physical damage. Extensive microplastic pollution on ecosystems due to human activities leads to inevitable human exposure, which may occur by dietary, inhalation and/or skin contact. Accordingly, microplastics exposure is closely associated with human health. This study explores the potential interactions of microplastics with the biological organization at various levels, including chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, and system levels. The review concludes by highlighting five urgent perspectives and implications for future research on microplastics: 1) Developing a standard terminology and research methods; 2) Reinforcing microplastics pollution governance; 3) Exploring innovative strategies and technologies; 4) Engaging the public and change behaviour; and 5) Adopting a transdisciplinary approach.
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This comprehensive review examines microplastic exposure pathways in humans, methods of detection, and the potential toxic effects on various biological systems. The study highlights growing evidence that microplastics can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, and may affect multiple organ systems, though significant uncertainties remain about long-term health outcomes.
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This review summarizes current evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin contact, and the cellular damage they may cause. While microplastic pollution is a recognized environmental hazard, the authors note that definitive evidence linking plastic particle exposure to specific health outcomes in humans is still limited and more realistic exposure studies are needed.
From Environment to Body: Microplastics' Sources, Pathways, and Health Repercussions
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This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of how microplastics enter the human body through food, water, air, and skin contact. Researchers found evidence that these particles may cause physical damage, chemical toxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in biological systems. The study highlights significant gaps in understanding the long-term health implications of chronic microplastic exposure in humans.
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This review examines how microplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin contact and the health effects they can cause, including oxidative stress, inflammation, hormone disruption, and potential DNA damage. Despite growing evidence of harm, the exact routes plastics take through the body and the cellular mechanisms behind their effects are still not well understood, and there is an urgent need for standardized detection methods.
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