Objective:
To assess the impact of
microplastics (MPs) on
human health.
Data Source The authors conducted a non-
systematic review of articles published in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish in the last decade in the following databases
PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and SciELO. The
keywords used were
microplastics OR nanoplastics OR marine litter OR
toxicology OR additives AND
human health OR
children OR
adults. Data
summary:
MPs are a group of emerging contaminants that have attracted scientific interest and societal
attention in the last decade due to their ubiquitous
detection in all
environments.
Humans can primarily be exposed to MPs and nanoplastics via oral and
inhalation routes, but dermal contact cannot be overlooked, especially in young
children. The possible
toxic effects of
plastic particles are due to their potential
toxicity, often combined with that of leachable additives and adsorbed contaminants.
Conclusions:
Unless the
plastic value chain is transformed over the next two decades, the
risks to species, marine
ecosystems,
climate,
health, economy, and
communities will be unmanageable. However, along with these
risks are the unique opportunities to help transition to a more sustainable world (AU)
