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The Impact of Microplastic on Human Health
Summary
This review synthesized evidence on microplastic exposure pathways and health effects in humans, finding that microplastics enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact and are associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and endocrine disruption.
Background: Microplastics are considered an emerging contaminant due to their wide distribution and production in the environment, representing constant exposure to humans. However, little is known about the effects it can trigger in the body. Objective: The objective of this study is to establish a concrete relationship between microplastics and the human body, their means of production, exposure, systemic responses, and diseases caused by their presence. Methods: In this context, a review article of foreign and national literature was developed through the PubMed and Scielo Indexers, where studies were found that address the production of plastic, the paths that lead to the production of microplastics, and the exposure and damage that it represents to human health, being possible to exclude the literary sums with a publication date before 2017. Results: They showed that translocation of the residues occurs to the circulatory and lymphatic system via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Once in the body, microplastic can stimulate a chronic inflammatory response that functions as a precursor to neoplasia and fibrosis, or carry toxic compounds such as heavy metals, endogenous disruptors, biofilms, and persistent organic pollutants. In addition, lung biopsies have shown plastic fibers in patients with respiratory diseases, highlighting a potentially dangerous accumulation. Conclusion: The present moment demonstrates that experimental research to prove the effect of microplastics is extremely necessary since the controversy among authors and the repetition of information already affirmed that the research done so far is not sufficient.
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