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Microplastics: Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
Summary
This review covers what is currently known about microplastic pollution's effects on both the environment and human health, summarizing evidence from studies on wildlife, ecosystems, and human exposure pathways. The authors note that while concern is growing, definitive conclusions about human health risks remain elusive due to limited clinical research.
As plastic production has increased rapidly within recent years, plastic pollution has become a growing concern for environmentalists, scientists, and physicians alike. Plastic particles less than five microns in diameter (microplastics) have been identified as a threat to the health of the environment and human population. Despite this, conclusive research on the repercussions of microplastic exposure in humans is limited. This review summarizes recent studies on the prevalence of microplastic particles in the atmosphere and marine environments, as well as the reported consequences associated with microplastic exposure in various animal species and in humans. The purpose of this review is to consolidate available microplastic research to help future investigators explore the impacts that microplastic exposure has on human health.