Micro(nano)plastics pollution and human health: How plastics can induce carcinogenesis to humans?

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are key indicators of the plasticine era, widely spread across different ecosystems. MPs and NPs become global stressors due to their inherent physicochemical characteristics and potential impact on ecosystems and humans. MPs and NPs have been exposed to humans via various pathways, such as tap water, bottled water, seafood, beverages, milk, fish, salts, fruits, and vegetables. This paper highlights MPs and NPs pathways to the food chains and how these plastic particles can cause risks to human health. MPs have been evident in vivo and vitro and have been at health risks, such as respiratory, immune, reproductive, and digestive systems. The present work emphasizes how various MPs and NPs, and associated toxic chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), impact human health. Polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are common MPs and NPs, reported in human implants via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure, which can cause carcinogenesis, according to Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports. Inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure-response cause genotoxicity, cell division and viability, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress induction, metabolism disruption, DNA damage, inflammation, and immunological responses in humans. Lastly, this review work concluded with current knowledge on potential risks to human health and knowledge gaps with recommendations for further investigation in this field.

Microplastic pollution in mountain terrains and foothills: A review on source, extraction, and distribution of microplastics in remote areas.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a critical environmental concern that exists within different mountain ecosystem compartments. This review paper highlights the source, sampling, distribution, and behavior of MPs in mountain terrains and foothills. Atmospheric transport and tourism are major sources of MP pollution in mountain ecosystems. Snow samples provide the maximum concentration of MPs compared to that of stream or ice core samples. Precipitation events considerably influence MP deposition and fallout in mountains and glaciers. PE, PP, PS, polyester, and PVC are common plastic polymers with diverse shapes, such as fibers, fragments, films, and pellets. Ecological concerns and stress due to MP accumulated in natural ecosystems have also been discussed, with considerable focus on MP transport and distribution dynamics at higher altitudes as prospects for future research. A remarkable knowledge gap was observed regarding the MP pathways in the mountainous ecosystems and the assessment of microplastic-associated additives, such as heavy metals and other toxic chemicals, including the evidence of nano-sized plastics. Furthermore, studies on the ecological and biological risks posed by MPs on remote mountains is severely limited with respect to global climate change, biodiversity loss, and influence on ecosystem services.