The impact of plastic during the COVID-19 pandemic: The point of view of the environmental science literature

Sousa, Fabiula Danielli Bastos de

doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2023.01.268

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 58 publications

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“…It is worth mentioning that plastic packaging is mainly used to package perishable food and beverages [ 146 ]. Moreover, in recent years, the increase in the use of e-commerce platforms and the boom in food delivery services have led to an increase in the frequency of the use of plastic products, leading to a rise in the production of MPs; these were also associated with the COVID-19 crisis of 2020–2022 [ 147 ] and the use of disposable personal protective equipment (face mask, gloves, protective suits, and goggles) [ 92 , 148 , 149 ].…”

Section: Risk Of Plastic Particles Entering the Human Body Via The Fo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sources, Degradation, Ingestion and Effects of Microplastics on Humans: A Review

Lin,

Huang,

Chen

et al. 2023

Toxics

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Celluloid, the predecessor to plastic, was synthesized in 1869, and due to technological advancements, plastic products appear to be ubiquitous in daily life. The massive production, rampant usage, and inadequate disposal of plastic products have led to severe environmental pollution. Consequently, reducing the employment of plastic has emerged as a pressing concern for governments globally. This review explores microplastics, including their origins, absorption, and harmful effects on the environment and humans. Several methods exist for breaking down plastics, including thermal, mechanical, light, catalytic, and biological processes. Despite these methods, microplastics (MPs, between 1 and 5 mm in size) continue to be produced during degradation. Acknowledging the significant threat that MPs pose to the environment and human health is imperative. This form of pollution is pervasive in the air and food and infiltrates our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. It is essential to assess the potential hazards that MPs can introduce. There is evidence suggesting that MPs may have negative impacts on different areas of human health. These include the respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, nervous, and reproductive systems, the liver and organs, the skin, and even the placenta and placental barrier. It is encouraging to see that most of the countries have taken steps to regulate plastic particles. These measures aim to reduce plastic usage, which is essential today. At the same time, this review summarizes the degradation mechanism of plastics, their impact on human health, and plastic reduction policies worldwide. It provides valuable information for future research on MPs and regulatory development.

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