Impact Assessment and Evaluation of Micro(nano)plastics Exposure in the Human Health System: A Review

Abstract The formation of micro and nano plastics (MNPs) and their exposure to the environment and human health system are new global problems currently being studied by scientific communities. MNPs can enter the body of a person in several ways, such as through the skin, ingestion, respiration, seafood, packed food materials, water, air, and cosmetics. Organ and tissue damage may result from the reactive oxygen species imbalance. The prolonged exposure of human health to plastics and polymer additives leads to asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory problems. This review analyzes the problems associated with humans and animals due to the exposure of MNPs and focuses on their impacts due to biomagnification through various biological and chemical functions. A deeper comprehension of cellular and molecular level reactions of MNP contamination to the associated environment is also discussed in this review.