Potential human health risk assessment of microplastic exposure: current scenario and future perspectives

Overview of Microplastics in the Meat: Occurrence, Detection Methods and Health Effects

“…There are primarily two chief mechanisms via which humans might be exposed to MP: inhalation and ingestion. MP are introduced into the human food chain predominantly through the consumption of contaminated food sources, hence posing possible implications for human health (Patil et al, 2022). After entering the gastrointestinal system, over 90% of the total MP (mainly polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene) is expelled by defecation (Schwabl et al, 2020).…”

“…The precise modus operandi by which these entities penetrate the placental barrier remains elusive, concomitant with the yet undetermined ramifications for gestation and embryonic maturation (Ragusa et al, 2021). Clinical manifestations of MP-accumulated organs are primarily driven by generation of reactive oxygen species during the inflammatory response, resulting in the initiation of oxidative stress and subsequent cytotoxic effects (Patil et al, 2022). The symptomatology encompasses carcinogenicity and inflammation in the liver, renal dysfunction and decline due to phthalate accumulation in kidneys, circulatory distress in the heart, thyroid disfunction caused by polybrominated diphenyl ethers, bisphenol A-mediated male infertility and spermatogenesis distress, metabolic disorders and so on (Lee et al, 2023).…”

“…Presently, the annual production of plastic waste stands at approximately 2.1 billion metric tons, with projections indicating a surge to 3.4 billion metric tons by the year 2050 (Khan et al, 2022). In conjunction with an increased likelihood of ingestion and absorption by a wide array of species and potential existence of MP within food sources, encompassing meat, the multifaceted nature of this diversity has engendered apprehension regarding the potential risk that microplastics may pose to both humans and the surrounding ecosystem (Kedzierski et al, 2020;Jin et al, 2021;Koelmans et al, 2022;Patil et al, 2022).…”

Probabilistic Estimation of Airborne Micro- and Nanoplastic Intake in Humans

“…This discrepancy is because the indoor deposited AMPs considered in this study span the full MP size range (1−5000 μm) and can have a much higher mass compared to inhalable particles (1−10 μm). Previous studies have typically assumed a constant MPP for a specific shape when converting number concentrations to mass concentrations, 50,51 which may lead to an overestimation of exposure to AMPs and potential risks.…”

From oceans to dinner plates: The impact of microplastics on human health

“…The body's immune system may perceive these foreign particles as harmful and release histamines and other inflammatory substances, leading to allergic symptoms [ 81 , 187 ]. These symptoms can include itching, redness, swelling, hives, and even more severe reactions like anaphylaxis in rare cases [ 188 ]. It is important to note that individuals with pre-existing allergies or sensitivities may be more susceptible to developing allergic reactions to microplastics.…”