Characteristics of Occurrence, Ecological Processes, and Health Impacts of Microplastics in the "Environment-Organism-Human Body" Continuum

As a new type of persistent pollutant, microplastics pose significant ecological risks to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and have become an imminent global environmental problem. These particles infiltrate the food chain through a complex process of transmediated migration, entering the bodies of organisms with high nutrient levels, including humans, through respiration and diet. Despite the urgency of the situation, the assessment of the health risks of microplastics is still in its early stages. In particular, the systematic understanding of the "trans-media migration-bioaccumulation" relationship is limited, and studies focusing on a single environmental medium are difficult to fully reveal exposure pathways and health impact chains. This paper systematically reviews recent advances in environmental monitoring, laboratory simulations, and epidemiological research. It aims to track the migration patterns of microplastics in water, soil and atmospheric environments through in vitro cell experiments and animal model studies, analyze the bioaccumulation and amplification of microplastics in the plant and animal food chain, and explore the toxicological mechanism of microplastics. Studies have shown that microplastics can spread globally through cross-vector migration, gradually accumulate in organisms, and exhibit food chain amplification effects. Long-term exposure to microplastics can cause chronic damage to key organs in the body, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Therefore, controlling microplastic pollution is a complex systemic challenge that urgently requires multi-dimensional, cross-disciplinary synergistic strategies and global cooperation.