Microplastics pollution in water is a threat for human health and the environment (literature review)

Abstract

Microplastics pollution of water bodies and drinking water is a relevant problem caused by wide use of plastics in multiple industries, agriculture, manufacturing of household chemicals and medicines. Microplastics pose a threat for human health both due to physical effects and chemicals in their structure as well as microorganisms that can occur on their surface. Some foreign studies describe how microplastics are formed and how they can occur both in marine and fresh water. There are also studies confirming microplastics to be present in seas and rivers in the Russian Federation. Studies that address microplastics in tissues of water organisms are scarce. According to some foreign authors, micro-plastics can be absorbed by mollusks, starfish, actiniae, crabs, etc. Russian researchers provide evidence of considerable quantities of microplastics found in the digestive spruce fish caught in the Tom River. Several foreign studies have established effects produced by microplastics on reproduction, eating behavior as well as declining survivability in crustaceans and fish. Fish products are a well-known significant source of microplastics in human diets. Microplastics bioaccumulation in aquatic biota is considered a potential health threat for organisms at higher trophic levels, including humans at the top of the food chain. Unified water sampling techniques are absent; studies that address effects of microplastics on the human body are scarce; there is no available methodology for hygienic standardization of microplastics in water. All this makes it necessary to have some research aimed at identifying sources and causes of microplastics pollution in water bodies including sources of drinking water supply, to assess public health risks, and to provide safe conditions for water use.