Consideration of emerging environmental contaminants in africa: Review of occurrence, formation, fate, and toxicity of plastic particles

Abstract

Plastic particles are small micro and nano range materials internationally produced for industrial applications or as a result of the breakdown of larger plastics. The accumulation of plastic particles varies spatially and temporally, with locations, hydrodynamic conditions, environmental pressure, time, and anthropogenic factors accounting for the disparities in dispersal and distribution. The accelerating global release of plastic particles into the environment seems unending, with long-term consequences for water quality, biodiversity, biological conservation, and human health. In this paper, we review the formation, presence, and toxicity of plastic particles in water, land, and air. Plastic wastes and plastic particles are increasing in abundance every year with increased consumption and rise in the global population. These materials are easily transported over long distances and become ubiquitous in their distribution on land, water, and air with unknown and unproven ecological and human health risks. Notwithstanding the potential threats to ecological health, literary records of plastic particle contamination of environmental media in Africa are very scanty. Managing environmental waste plastics and plastic particles and ensuring effective intervention policies and practices requires an understanding of plastic particles sources, transport, and fate, through regional and international collaboration, and interdisciplinary research. In consideration of the potential threats of plastic particles to ecological functions and human health risks, we recommend specific regulation of microplastics in consumer products. The information contained in this paper adds to the growing body of knowledge in the study of micro- and nano-plastic particles worldwide but with particular reference to developing countries.