Microplastics: Sources, Environmental Distribution and Impacts on Human Health - A Comprehensive Review

Microplastics are environmental pollutants that prevail in the oceans, remote islands, and polar regions. Exposure to microplastics presents a major emerging threat to the ecosystems due to their potential adverse effects. Herein, we reviewed the literature to provide an up-to-date synopsis of the current understanding of the sources, compositions, and adverse effects of microplastics in humans and the environment[1].An estimated 265 million metric tons of plastic waste are produced globally each year, with about 4.8–12.7 million metric tons ending up in the ocean. Microplastics can infiltrate the food chain or come into contact with humans through the skin, eventually penetrating and accumulating in the body. Globally, individuals are estimated to consume between 11,845 and 193,200 microplastic particles per year, with drinking water identified as the primary source. The toxicity of microplastics stems from both their inherent properties and their ability to interact with other pollutants, such as heavy metals[2].