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A Comprehensive Review on Environmental Migration, Physicochemical Transformations, and Exposure-Related Health Risks of Microplastics
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Researchers synthesized over 200 peer-reviewed studies to review the environmental migration pathways, physicochemical transformations, and human health risks of microplastics across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments, finding heterogeneous global distributions of fragments and fibers predominantly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene, with bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption, and oxidative stress identified as key mechanisms of toxicity.
There is a worldwide hazard with microplastics (MPs), plastic production units less than 5 mm, as it increases with the increase in output (>380 million tons/year), which is even division into micro- and nanoplastics. This is a review of over 200 peer-reviewed articles through systematic database searches that combines both experimental, modeling and observational data to help fill knowledge gaps in MP migration, transformations, bioavailability, and health risks in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments. Results indicate heterogenous distributions: coastal clumps (e.g., 0.011 +- 0.017 items/m3 oceans), bioturbation-induced soil penetration (600 particles/kg), and peaks in wet season. Prevalent (less than 100 mm) fragments/fibers of polyethylene/polypropylene support wind/river transport and sorption of contaminant. Losses Phthalates are lost through transformations by photo-oxidation, abrasion, and biofilms leading to enhanced ecotoxicity via trophic magnification. Bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and chronic illnesses phenotypes are all potential risks of human exposure, which primarily occurs through the ingestion of fish (millions of particles per week through the ocean) pathways. This framework gives greater emphasis on ecological back-human associations whereby there is routine of such ways, prognostic models and ameliorations such as waste curbs and biodegradables to conserve the surroundings and health.
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This review covers the environmental distribution and transport of microplastics across marine, freshwater, soil, and atmospheric compartments, and analyzes their toxicity to organisms at different trophic levels including potential effects on human health.
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This review synthesizes nearly two decades of research on the multiple pathways through which environmental microplastics affect human and ecological health, including chemical toxicity, physical impacts, and potential roles as carriers of pathogens and contaminants.
Microplastics as Environmental Pollutants: Biological and Health Consequences – A Comprehensive Review
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Researchers synthesized current knowledge on microplastic sources, environmental distribution, and biological effects across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems, documenting pathways by which both primary and secondary microplastics enter organisms and accumulate through food webs.
Microplastics in Environmental Setting: A Review on Sources, Exposure Routes and Potential Toxicities on Human Health
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This review examines microplastics in environmental settings, synthesizing current knowledge on sources, distribution across terrestrial and aquatic compartments, fate processes, and ecological consequences. The authors identify priority research areas needed to address remaining uncertainties in microplastic risk assessment.
A Comprehensive Review on Environmental Migration, Physicochemical Transformations, and Exposure-Related Health Risks of Microplastics
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This review of over 200 studies found that tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm are now everywhere in our environment—from ocean water to soil to the air we breathe. These microplastics can carry harmful chemicals and may cause health problems like hormone disruption and chronic diseases when we eat contaminated fish and other foods. The researchers say people may be consuming millions of these plastic particles every week, mainly through seafood, which highlights the need for better waste management and plastic alternatives.
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