Exposure to Microplastics during Early Developmental Stage: Review of Current Evidence

Abstract

In the last few decades, microplastics (MPs) have been among the emerging environmental pollutants that have received serious attention from scientists and the general population due to their wide range of potentially harmful effects on living organisms. MPs may originate from primary sources (micro-sized plastics manufactured on purpose) and secondary sources (breakdown of large plastic items through physical, chemical, and biological processes). Consequently, serious concerns are escalating because MPs can be easily disseminated and contaminate environments, including terrestrial, air, groundwater, marine, and freshwater systems. Furthermore, an exposure to even low doses of MPs during the early developmental stage may induce long-term health effects, even later in life. Accordingly, this study aims to gather the current evidence regarding the effects of MPs exposure on vital body systems, including the digestive, reproductive, central nervous, immune, and circulatory systems, during the early developmental stage. In addition, this study provides essential information about the possible emergence of various diseases later in life (i.e., adulthood).

Impact of Microplastics on Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A Systematic Review

“…People across the world come into close, daily contact with plastics and the byproducts of their disintegration, especially nano-and microplastics. The discovery of microplastics in the placenta has sparked worries that plastics might affect fetal growth during pregnancy [16,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Plastic pollution is a serious and growing worldwide issue; by 2060, the amount of plastic that leaks into the environment is expected to have doubled to 44 million tons annually from 22 million tons in 2019 [30][31][32].…”

“…According to studies, maternal exposure to microplastics during breastfeeding and pregnancy altered the neural cell compositions and the histology of the offspring's brains [16,18,20,21]. Studies have shown that exposure to MPs during pregnancy and the first few months of life may result in permanent alterations to the reproductive axis and central nervous system in the offspring of different species [16,21,22]. A lack of evidence has prompted scientists and regulatory bodies to express concerns over the presence of MPs in food, possible human consumption, and potential health effects.…”

Interfacial Interactions between Nanoplastics and Biological Systems: toward an Atomic and Molecular Understanding of Plastics-Driven Biological Dyshomeostasis

“…In 2010, 4.8–12.7 million tons of plastic litter was deposited into surface waters, and an estimated 100–250 million tons of plastic litter is projected to enter surface waters by 2025. , The ingestion of thousands of plastic particles through inhalation, absorption by the skin, hand-to-mouth behavior by kids playing with plastic toys, from food sources such as plants and fish, and via liquids stored in plastic bottles has become routine, given their widespread societal use. , …”

“…7,8 The ingestion of thousands of plastic particles through inhalation, absorption by the skin, hand-to-mouth behavior by kids playing with plastic toys, from food sources such as plants and fish, and via liquids stored in plastic bottles has become routine, given their widespread societal use. 9,10 Studies reveal that MPs' and NPs' buildup is associated with stunted development, hormone disruption, metabolic distortion, oxidative stress, immunological and neurotoxicity malfunction, and genotoxicity. 11,12 Recently, MPs have been detected in 75% of breast milk samples (n = 34 healthy mothers) and in human placentas.…”

Recent Advances in Natural Fibre-Based Materials for Food Packaging Applications

“…Microplastics have been detected in 15 human biological components including breastmilk, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, placenta, meconium, skin, hair, head, face, hand, saliva, colectomy specimens, faeces and sputum [ 8 ]. Babies ingest 553 to 4,550,000 microplastic particles/day through feeding bottles [ 9 ]. This microplastic exposure directly impacts the digestive, reproductive, central nervous, immune and circulatory systems during early developmental stages.…”