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

Abstract

The vast usage of synthetic plastics has led to the global problem of plastic pollution which in turn has positively impacted the concerns regarding microplastic pollution. The major factor responsible for the increased level of pollution is the smaller size of microplastics which helps in its transportation across the globe. It has been found in most remote areas like glaciers and Antarctic regions where it is difficult for other contaminants to reach. This is ensured by the physicochemical cycle of plastic. They can either be produced for different applications or generated through the fragmentation of large plastic particles. Different studies have shown the accumulation of microplastics in different organisms, especially in aquatic animals leading to their entry into the food chain. The ultimate fate of the microplastics is accumulation inside the human body posing the risk of different health conditions like cancer, diabetes, and allergic reactions. The present review summarizes a detailed discussion on the current status of microplastic pollution, their effect on different organisms, and its impact on human health with a case study on the human health risk assessment for analyzing the global rate of microplastic ingestion.