Impact of microplastics on human health: exposure mechanisms and potential health implications

Abstract

Microplastics are a pervasive environmental contaminant and represent a newly emerging threat to human health. They enter the body through various pathways, including food consumption, drinking water, and inhalation. The present study is concerned with the issue of dietary and inhalational exposure to microplastics. The presence of microplastics has been identified in a range of food products and drinking water, with analyses of faecal samples also indicating their passage through the human digestive tract, thereby suggesting the potential for their absorption by the body. It is also important to consider the potential for inhalational exposure, given the presence of microplastics in the air. This suggests that inhalation by humans may also be a possibility. Furthermore, these particles have been identified in sputum samples from patients and lung tissues, indicating the potential for bioaccumulation and the induction of inflammatory responses.  

While there is documented evidence of microplastics in the human body, there is currently a lack of specific data on their impact on human health. The available evidence from animal studies and in vitro models indicates that microplastics have the potential to traverse epithelial barriers in the digestive and respiratory systems, resulting in inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and, in extreme cases, tissue fibrosis. Furthermore, microplastics may act as carriers for heavy metals and toxic chemicals, thereby increasing the risk of neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and potentially carcinogenic effects. Further research, including long-term clinical studies, is required to gain a full understanding of the impact of microplastics on human health.