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Predicted pathways of microplastic uptake from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). (A) Microplastic (0.1 > 10 μm) uptake from the GIT lumen via endocytosis by the M cells of the Peyer's patches. M cells sample and transport particles from the intestinal lumen to the mucosal lymphoid tissues (adapted from ref 163). (B) Microplastic uptake from the GIT lumen via paracellular persorption. Nondegradable particles, such as microplastics, may be mechanically kneaded through loose junctions in the single-cell epithelial layer into the tissue below. Dendritic cells are able to phagocytose such particles, transporting them to the underlying lymphatic vessels and veins. Distribution to secondary tissues, including the liver, muscle and brain, could occur (adapted from ref 163). Reprinted from Mowat, A. M. I. Anatomical basis of tolerance and immunity to intestinal antigens. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 2003, 3 (4), 331−341. 163 Copyright 2003 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
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Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern. Their presence in food destined for human consumption and in air samples has been reported. Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the human health effects of which are unknown. The current review article draws upon cross-disciplinary scientific literature to discuss a...
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Context 1
... These domed regions are characterized by an epithelial layer of M cells, so-called due to their specialized luminal surface microfolds, 90 and enterocytes. Beneath this layer is the subepithelial dome; a cavity containing lymphocytes and/or macrophages (Figure 2A). Peyer's patches form part of the gut-associated lymphoid tissues; M cells sample and transport particles (0.1 < 10 μm) from the intestinal lumen to the mucosal lymphoid tissues, 76,91 playing a key role in immune homeostasis. ...
Context 2
... route of uptake in the GIT, and perhaps the most applicable to microplastics due to the size range it covers, is via a phenomenon known as persorption. Persorption describes the mechanical kneading of solid particles (up to 130 μm diameter) through gaps in the single-layer epithelium at the villus tips of the GIT (desquamation zones), 99 and into the circulatory system ( Figure 2B). 100,101 PVC particles (5−110 μm) have been used as model nondegradable microparticles, along with starch, to study this phenomenon. ...
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Citations
... In addition, this project did not examine microplastics in marine invertebrates like mussels, clams, or giant clams, as this was beyond the scope of the study. However, studies suggest that bivalve mollusks, such as mussels and clams, are one of the greatest dietary exposure routes to microplastics, especially microfibers, for humans (Van Cauwenberghe and Janssen, 2014;Li et al., 2015;Wright and Kelly, 2017). Future research on microplastics in the RMI should sample commonly consumed invertebrates, particularly filter-feeding bivalves (e.g., clams) as well as analyze the fish gut content liquids for microfibers and particles <1 mm. ...
Island communities, like the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), depend on marine resources for food and economics, so plastic ingestion by those resources is a concern. The gastrointestinal tracts of nine species of reef fish across five trophic groups (97 fish) were examined for plastics >1 mm. Over 2100 putative plastic particles from 72 fish were identified under light microscopy. Only 115 of these from 47 fish passed a plastic screening method using Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (μFTIR) in reflectance mode. All of these were identified as natural materials in a final confirmatory analysis, attenuated total reflectance FTIR. The high false-positive rate of visual and μFTIR methods highlight the importance of using multiple polymer identification methods. Limited studies on ingested plastic in reef fish present challenging comparisons because of different methods used. No plastic >1 mm were found in the RMI reef fish, reassuring human consumers.
... Recent evidence indicates that up to 4.7 × 10 3 particles of MPs are ingested into a human body via drinking water every year [50], with subsequent translocation to vital organs such as the lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. Specifically, MPs with a diameter less than 130 μm have the potential to trigger a localized immune response, leading to immune diseases, cardiac-cerebral vascular diseases, and even cancers [41,31,28,39]. Furthermore, MPs serve as ideal hosts for many toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls and bisphenol A [17,7]. ...
Microplastics have been identified as a significant environmental threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Consequently, there is an urgent need for efficient separation methods for small-sized MPs. In this study, a super-hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) membrane is successfully prepared by facilely depositing GO on a microfiltration substrate, without introducing any surface modification materials, especially nanoparticles, which may cause secondary pollution. Laser bombardment reduces GO lamellar size (23.6% of its original size) and creates an abundance of defects and undulating wrinkles, enabling the deposited GO membrane to have more and shorter pathways for water. As a result, the filtration permeance for 10 μm polyvinyl chloride reaches up to 3396 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, a 1–2-order-of-magnitude enhancement compared to the unirradiated GO membrane, and is also superior to most nanoparticle-modified GO membranes. Simultaneously, the labyrinth structure endows the membrane with a high filtration efficiency of approximately 99% for the majority of MPs. This excellent performance remains virtually unchanged after repeated use. The integration of outstanding separation effects and health safety presents opportunities for practical applications in long-term MP-in-water separation.
... La toxicidad de los MP está relacionada con sus propiedades físicas y químicas, como la persistencia a largo plazo en la atmósfera, la hidrofobicidad y el potencial para reaccionar con la hemoglobina e interferir con el transporte de oxígeno en organismos biológicos (Wright & Kelly, 2017). La inhalación y la ingestión de MP ha sido confirmada por la presencia de MP en heces humanas. ...
... Since then, numerous researchers have investigated the presence and impact of MP in several environments, such as drinking water (Mintenig et al. 2019;Pivokonsky et al. 2018), wastewater (Gies et al. 2018;Raju et al. 2018;Ziajahromi et al. 2017), sludge (Talvitie et al. 2017), seawater (Taha et al. 2021;Yang et al. 2023), freshwater (Blettler et al. 2018;Eerkes-Medrano et al. 2015;Lin et al. 2018), and sediment (Lots et al. 2017). MP is considered a vector of priority pollutants due to its ability to absorb heavy metals such as zinc, lead, cadmium, and nickel (Wright and Kelly 2017). MP is also considered an persistent organic pollutant (POP) due to its capability to absorb hydrophobic pollutants such as organochlorinated pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) (Wright and Kelly 2017). ...
... MP is considered a vector of priority pollutants due to its ability to absorb heavy metals such as zinc, lead, cadmium, and nickel (Wright and Kelly 2017). MP is also considered an persistent organic pollutant (POP) due to its capability to absorb hydrophobic pollutants such as organochlorinated pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) (Wright and Kelly 2017). Studies have found that MP is also present in the atmosphere, which poses risks of inhalation into the lungs (Gasperi et al. 2018). ...
This paper presents the landscape of research on airborne microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) according to the bibliometric analysis of 147 documents issued between 2015 and 2021, extracted from the Web of Science database. The publications on airborne MPs/NPs have increased rapidly from 2015 onwards, which is largely due to the existence of funding support. Science of the Total Environment is one of the prominent journals in publishing related papers. China, England, the USA, and European Countries have produced a significant output of airborne MP/NP research works, which is associated with the availability of funding agencies regionally or nationally. The research hotspot on the topic ranges from the transport of airborne MPs/NPs to their deposition in the terrestrial or aquatic environments, along with the contamination of samples by indoor MPs/NPs. Most of the publications are either research or review papers related to MPs/NPs. It is crucial to share the understanding of global plastic pollution and its unfavorable effects on humankind by promoting awareness of the existence and impact of MPs/NPs. Funding agencies are vital in boosting the research development of airborne MPs/NPs. Some countries that are lacking funding support were able to publish research findings related to the field of interest, however, with lesser research output. Without sufficient fundings, some impactful publications may not be able to carry a substantial impact in sharing the findings and discoveries with the mass public.
Graphical abstract
... Moreover, plants absorb these micro and nano-plastics, potentially entering the human and animal food chains [17]. Microplastics have also been detected in air samples, and their inhalation or ingestion may lead to various health issues [18]. Furthermore, waste plastics can release incorporated additives or chemicals during their degradation into micro-or nano-plastics [19]. ...
Post-consumer soft plastics often face inadequate management practices, posing threats to both human life and the environment while also leading to the loss of valuable recyclable materials when not recycled. Traditional mechanical recycling methods are unsuitable for waste soft plastics due to their thin and flimsy nature. This study presents an effective, user-friendly process for converting waste soft plastics into new products, generating value, and expediting their collection and recycling without the need for pelletization. The outcome of this process was compared with products derived from traditional recycling and commercially available alternatives through various analytical techniques including tensile testing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The findings suggest that waste soft plastics can be transformed into flexible sheets without significant alterations to their properties. In particular, the ultimate tensile strength of samples recycled using the developed process in this study and traditional recycling were found to be 25.9 ± 0.4 and 25.2 ± 0.8 MPa, respectively, surpassing commercially available products by nearly 15 MPa. Additionally, a life cycle assessment revealed that producing flexible sheets from waste soft plastics using this innovative approach, rather than virgin polymer, could reduce fossil fuel depletion and global warming by 99.4% and 94.6%, respectively. This signifies the potential of the process to mitigate environmental pollution and produce high-quality products exclusively from 100% waste plastics.
... The presence of MPs in commercially important fish poses a potential risk to human health owing to the accumulation of MPs and associated pollutants [27]. As fish are a primary source of protein for humans, the presence of MPs in fish and their ecotoxicological effects could impact aquatic food security [28,29]. ...
This study assessed the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the gills, intestines, and muscles of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), one of main fish species consumed by humans living in the lower regions of the Han River in South Korea. In total, 891 MP particles were detected in 15 carps, with an average of 59.4 ± 45.5 particles/specimen, indicating severe MP contamination. The predominant MP form was fragment (86%), and the size range was 0.02–0.10 mm. Thirty MP particles were detected in the muscle samples (n = 10), primarily in sizes < 0.1 mm (89%). The most common types of polymers detected in this study were polyethylene (≥42%), polystyrene (≥20%), and polypropylene (≥19%), which were at the same level as the polymer ratio of domestic plastic production/use. No correlation was observed between the length of common carp and the number of MPs detected in different body tissues, indicating an abundance of MPs in the environment rather than by residue and accumulation. These findings contribute to the evaluation of the potential impact of edible fish on human health and emphasize the need to develop strategies to reduce MP contamination originating from various potential land sources.
... Alternatively, nano-plastics in landfills can enter the human body via inhalation, accidental ingestion, dermal sorption, and drinking water, thus causing significant harm to humans Lambert and Wagner 2017). Furthermore, acute waste plastic pollution has caused irreversible harm to the coral reefs of Australia and continues to adversely affect human health and aquatic life (Lamb et al. 2018;Wright and Kelly 2017;Seltenrich 2015). ...
Fast-accumulating waste plastic can be thermochemically recycled via microwave-assisted pyrolysis to recycle their embedded energy by restructuring them into useful gaseous, liquid, and solid products that can be used for power cogeneration, transportation (fuel), and construction applications, respectively. Among them, the liquid product can be used as a diesel substitute in compression ignition engines due to its higher calorific value and relatively lower exhaust emissions. The nature of microwave heating yields a better quality product that enhances process economics while reducing its environmental footprint. Some techno-economic studies show that microwave-assisted pyrolysis is a scalable waste-to-energy route with high initial capital investment, but lower operational costs compared to conventional pyrolysis. They also indicate that the fixed capital costs increase exponentially with plant size, but with correct optimization of critical parameters, the process can achieve breakeven in 2½ to 5 years at a 7% return on investment. However, more techno-economic studies, life cycle and life cycle costing studies are required to verify these numbers while also identifying the interdependence of critical parameters like residence time, reactor temperature, microwave power, and feedstock type, etc., with response surface methodology. This review consolidates the basics, important parameters, advantages, and limitations of microwave-based pyrolysis with suggestions on the synergistic integration with conventional plastic waste management methods. Overall, this technology offers significant economic opportunity and carries the potential to mitigate environmental harm when integrated with a circular economy.
... The potential for microplastic emissions to intermingle with marine sediments presents an additional pathway through which they may infiltrate the ecological food web.The digestive system is mostly discussed in the literature, examining the effects of microplastic emissions on human health (Cole et al. 2020;Duncan et al. 2019). This is linked to the fact that the aquatic ecosystem has attracted a lot of attention, and eating contaminated species (Vandermeersch et al. 2015) may cause the human intestine to absorb microplastic emissions (Van Cauwenberghe and Janssen 2014) and human exposure by inhalation (Wright and Kelly 2017). ...
Plastic pollution has become a prominent and pressing environmental concern within the realm of pollution. In recent times, microplastics have entered our ecosystem, especially in freshwater. In the contemporary global landscape, there exists a mounting apprehension surrounding the manifold environmental and public health issues that have emerged as a result of the substantial accumulation of microplastics. The objective of the current study is to employ an enhanced grey prediction model in order to forecast global plastic production and microplastic emissions. This study compared the accuracy level of the four grey prediction models, namely, EGM (1,1, α, θ), DGM (1,1), EGM (1,1), and DGM (1,1, α) models, to evaluate the accuracy levels. As per the estimation of the study, DGM (1,1, α) was found to be more suitable with higher accuracy levels to predict microplastic emission. The EGM (1,1, α, θ) model has slightly better accuracy than the DGM (1,1, α) model in predicting global plastic production. Various accuracy measurement tools (MAPE and RMSE) were used to determine the model’s efficiency. There has been a gradual growth in both plastic production and microplastic emission. The current study using the DGM (1,1, α) model predicted that microplastic emission would be 1,084,018 by 2030. The present study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers in formulating effective strategies to address the complex issues arising from the release of microplastics into the environment and the continuous production of plastic materials.
... We are therefore continuously exposed to this airborne microplastic pollution (40), but the consequences of common household exposure on our lungs are unclear. Evidence from textile factory workers indicate detrimental effects on lung tissue during high exposure conditions at levels of around 7 mg/m 3 or 1 million fibers/m 3 (18). Our data now show that both polyester and nylon fibers can impair differentiation of human and murine lung epithelial cells, with nylon being the most harmful for airway epithelial cell differentiation. ...
... These can then be compared to occupational exposures known to cause adverse effects and animal studies such as ours and previous ones (42, 44). For instance, concentrations of 7 mg/m 3 or 10 6 fibers per m 3 air were found in the nylon flocking industry with many employees reporting respiratory symptoms (18,57). ...
... As plastics break down, they release various harmful chemicals and additives into the water, including plasticizers and flame retardants (Rochman, 2018). These substances can leach into the marine environment, affecting the health of aquatic organisms and potentially entering the human food chain (Wright and Kelly, 2017). Additionally, plastics can act as vectors for transporting invasive species, potentially altering the composition of marine ecosystems (Barnes et al., 2018). ...
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global environmental crisis with profound consequences for marine ecosystems, human societies, and the planet as a whole. This paper delves into the concept of plastic pollution in the ocean, emphasizing its pervasive and detrimental effects. It highlights the role of ocean as a source of sustenance, climate regulator, transportation route, and vital ecosystem provider. While oceans offer immense benefits, they face dire threats from plastic pollution. The harms of plastic pollution on marine life are explored, with a focus on ingestion, entanglement, and the introduction of harmful chemicals into the food chain. The adverse impact on water quality, sediment contamination, navigation, and various human activities are also discussed. Understanding the pathways of plastic leakage including land-based activities, stormwater runoff, marine-based industries, microplastic generation, shipping and maritime accidents, and even atmospheric deposition into the ocean is paramount. To mitigate plastic pollution, multifaceted approaches are required. Effective waste management and reduction of plastic production and consumption, including bans and restrictions on single-use plastics, offer tangible solutions. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, improved recycling, and circular economy promotion are vital components of mitigation. Innovative cleanup technologies and the strengthening of international agreements and regulations are essential. This paper also offers policy recommendations, including the implementation of plastic reduction and bans, the enhancement of waste management systems, promotion of recycling and circular economy, and the enforcement of marine pollution prevention regulations. Education, research, and public awareness initiatives are equally critical in our collective efforts to combat plastic pollution in the ocean and safeguard the health of our marine ecosystems and our planet.
