Health impacts of environmental contamination of micro- and nanoplastics: a review

Abstract

Plastics are extensively used in our daily life. However, a significant amount of plastic waste is discharged to the environment directly or via improper reuse or recycling. Degradation of plastic waste generates micro-or nanosized plastic particles that are defined as micro-or nanoplastics (MNPs). Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, while nanoplastics (NPs) range in diameter from 1 to 100 or 1000 nm. In the current review, we first briefly summarized the environmental contamination of MNPs and then discussed their health impacts based on existing MNP research. Our review indicates that MNPs can be detected in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide and be ingested and accumulated by animals along the food chain. Evidence has suggested the harmful health impacts of MNPs on marine and freshwater animals. Recent studies found MPs in human stool samples, suggesting that humans are exposed to MPs through food and/or drinking water. However, the effect of MNPs on human health is scarcely researched. In addition to the MNPs themselves, these tiny plastic particles can release plastic additives and/or adsorb other environmental chemicals, many of which have been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting and other toxic effects. In summary, we conclude that more studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of MNP pollution hazards and also provide a basis for the subsequent pollution management and control.

Tenebrio molitor in the circular economy: a novel approach for plastic valorisation and PHA biological recovery

“…In addition, it is necessary the effect of residual plastic particles, which are smaller and more contaminated in chemical substances and therefore can cause nanoscale toxicity (Jiang et al 2020).…”

“…Currently, only the HBCD additive was investigated by Brandon et al (2020) in PS-degrading larvae and further up the food chain in TM-fed shrimp. Then, further studies are needed to evaluate the presence of several plastic-derived substances able to cause different toxic effects (Jiang et al 2020). Consequently, lots of fundamental research remains to be done, also to fill current regulatory gaps.…”

Microplastics contamination in food and beverages: Direct exposure to humans

“…Recent studies have found MPs in human stool samples, which also indicate that humans are exposed to MPs through food and beverages (Jiang et al., 2020; Schwabl et al., 2019). Mohamed Nor et al.…”

“…Although these studies show that human body can digest and eliminate these particles, the toxic effects of MPs on tissues and organs during the circulation and accumulation in the body cannot be ignored. In addition to MPs themselves, these tiny plastic particles can also release plastic additives and toxic chemicals adsorbed from the environment, many of which have been proven to be endocrine disruptors (Jiang et al., 2020).…”

Uncovering the Release of Micro/nanoplastics from Disposable Face Masks at Times of COVID-19

“…Under environmental conditions, plastic waste slowly degrade due to chemical, mechanical, and biological actions into micrometric and submicrometric plastic particles (Andrady, 2015;Frias and Nash, 2019). The smaller they are, the easier they can be ingested, accumulated and transferred by organisms along the food chain (Jiang et al, 2020). Ingestion of micrometric and submicrometric plastics is known to cause direct adverse effects (e.g., entanglement, suffocation) and to expose organisms to plastic-associated chemical and microbial agents with a prominent toxic and pathogenic potential (Sathicq et al, 2021;Vethaak and Leslie, 2016;Zhang and Xu, 2020).…”