Current situation and health harmful effects of microplastics in the environment

Abstract

As an emerging environmental pollutant, microplastics have attracted more and more attention for its influence on the ecological environment and human health. Due to its wide range of usage and production, difficult degradation and other characteristics, as well as the continuous and substantial increase in the use of plastic products, the number of plastic fragments in the environment continues to increase, which leads to the accumulation of microplastics in the environment and organisms, spread through the food chain, and ultimately poses a threat to human health. At the same time, in the plastic production, synthetic textile, and other industries, the incidence of workers related occupational diseases greatly increased. In this paper, the concept, classification, source, impact on biological and human health of microplastics are summarized, and propose solutions on the current situation of microplastics pollution in China, we hope this review could provide effective reference for further carry out risk assessment of microplastics pollution on human health and formulate legislation to control microplastics pollution.