Health impacts of environmental contamination of micro- and nanoplastics: a review.
10.1186/s12199-020-00870-9
- Author:
Baorong JIANG
1
;
Alexandra E KAUFFMAN
1
;
Lei LI
2
;
Wayne MCFEE
3
;
Bo CAI
4
;
John WEINSTEIN
5
;
Jamie R LEAD
1
;
Saurabh CHATTERJEE
1
;
Geoffrey I SCOTT
1
;
Shuo XIAO
6
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
2. Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 21009, China.
3. National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Charleston, SC, 29412, USA.
4. NIEHS Center for Oceans and Human Health and Climate Change Interactions (OHHC2I), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
5. Department of Biology, The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29409, USA.
6. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA. sx106@pharmacy.rutgers.edu.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Additives;
Adsorbents;
Health impacts;
Microplastics;
Nanoplastics
- MeSH:
Environmental Exposure;
Environmental Monitoring;
Microplastics;
adverse effects;
analysis;
Water Pollutants;
adverse effects;
analysis
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2020;25(1):29-29
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Plastics are extensively used in our daily life. However, a significant amount of plastic waste is discharged to the environment directly or via improper reuse or recycling. Degradation of plastic waste generates micro- or nano-sized plastic particles that are defined as micro- or nanoplastics (MNPs). Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, while nanoplastics (NPs) range in diameter from 1 to 100 or 1000 nm. In the current review, we first briefly summarized the environmental contamination of MNPs and then discussed their health impacts based on existing MNP research. Our review indicates that MNPs can be detected in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide and be ingested and accumulated by animals along the food chain. Evidence has suggested the harmful health impacts of MNPs on marine and freshwater animals. Recent studies found MPs in human stool samples, suggesting that humans are exposed to MPs through food and/or drinking water. However, the effect of MNPs on human health is scarcely researched. In addition to the MNPs themselves, these tiny plastic particles can release plastic additives and/or adsorb other environmental chemicals, many of which have been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting and other toxic effects. In summary, we conclude that more studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of MNP pollution hazards and also provide a basis for the subsequent pollution management and control.
