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Preface
Summary
This book preface introduces a report on microplastic pollution, highlighting the widespread presence of microplastics in remote and pristine environments including Arctic regions and mountain snowpack. The author emphasizes that the small size of microplastics makes them easily inhaled or ingested by organisms, and that the potential for long-term irreversible health effects justifies precautionary policy action. It is a framing document rather than a primary research paper.
The widespread presence of microplastics in the environment, including in remote and pristine areas such as mountains and the Arctic, is a source of concern for ecosystems and human health. Due to their small size, microplastics can be easily ingested or inhaled by organisms, potentially leading to adverse health impacts on wildlife and humans. The potential for long-term and irreversible risks to ecosystems and human health calls for mitigation measures to halt the accumulation of plastics and microplastics in the environment.