Impact of Microplastics on Human health: Time for us to get attentive- before it’s too late!!

Sanjev Dave¹, Priti Sinha², Anuradha V Dave³, Rajesh Jain⁴, Arvind Trivedi⁵, Rangeel Singh Raina⁶, Rashmi Pandey⁷, Ridima Kamal⁸

Authors Affiliation:

1. Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Autonomous State Medical College, Auraiya (Uttar Pradesh)- India-206244
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (India)
3. Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh)- India-250005
4. Professor, Rama University, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)- India
5. Principal & Professor Nephrology, Govt Medical College, Jalaun (Orai), Uttar Pradesh)- India
6. Principal & Professor, Govt Medical College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, Uttar Pradesh)- India
7. Assistant Professor Biochemistry, Govt Medical College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, Uttar Pradesh)- India
8. Public Health Consultant, Department of Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Corresponding Author: Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Autonomous State Medical College, Auraiya (Uttar Pradesh)- India-206244, [email protected]

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Abstract: –

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have been detected in common environmental matrices such as drinking water, food, and air. Their pervasiveness has led to increasing human exposure, and their recent detection in human blood raises alarming concerns about systemic bioaccumulation and long-term health effects. Moreover, their adverse impact on biological systems, particularly on gastrointestinal, immune, and vascular health, has also become a growing concern as discussed in this review.

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Introduction:

Microplastics have become ubiquitous in the global environment and are now recognized as a significant emerging pollutant. Recent studies indicate that microplastics can enter the human body through multiple exposure routes, including ingestion via food and water, as well as inhalation of airborne particles. Once inside the body, these particles can induce a range of adverse health effects, including oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and developmental abnormalities. Although research is still evolving, the detection of microplastics in critical biological matrices such as placental tissue and breast milk underscores the potential for systemic exposure and raises pressing public health concerns (Luo et al., 2019 )¹.

Recent studies have consistently reported the widespread presence of microplastics in various environmental matrices and human biological samples. Human exposure to microplastics can occur via multiple routes, including oral ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Emerging evidence suggests that such exposure may induce a range of adverse health effects, such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disturbances, immune dysregulation, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Furthermore, epidemiological investigations have suggested potential associations between chronic diseases and microplastic exposure, underscoring a growing public health concern regarding their long-term biological effects ^[1].