Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution
Creators: name: Hanachi, Parichehr
name: Samaneh Karbalaei
name: Walker, Tony R.
name: Cole, Matthew
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: 110199 Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: 60199 Biochemistry and Cell Biology not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Cell Biology
subject: 60114 Systems Biology
subject: 111201 Cancer Cell Biology
subject: 100499 Medical Biotechnology not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Medical biotechnology
subject: FOS: Medical biotechnology
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Biological Techniques
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: 91209 Polymers and Plastics
subject: FOS: Materials engineering
subject: FOS: Materials engineering
subject: Environmental Science
subject: 50299 Environmental Science and Management not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Health Care
subject: 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Other medical sciences
subject: FOS: Other medical sciences
subject: Marine Biology
subject: 100205 Environmental Marine Biotechnology
subject: FOS: Environmental biotechnology
subject: FOS: Environmental biotechnology

description: AbstractThe presence and accumulation of plastic and microplastic (MP) debris in the natural environment is of increasing concern and has become the focus of attention for many researchers. Plastic debris is a prolific, long-lived pollutant, that is highly resistant to environmental degradation, readily adheres hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants and is linked to morbidity and mortality in numerous aquatic organisms. The prevalence of MPs within the natural environment are a symptom of continuous and rapid growth in synthetic plastic production and mismanagement of plastic waste. Many terrestrial and marine-based processes, including domestic and industrial drainage, maritime activities agricultural runoff and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent, contribute to MP pollution in aquatic environments. MPs have been identified in food consumed by human and in air samples, and exposure to MPs via ingestion or inhalation could lead to adverse human health effects. Regulations in many countries have already been established or will soon be implemented to reduce MPs in aquatic environments. This review focuses on the occurrence, sources, and transport of MPs in terrestrial and aquatic environments to highlight potential human health effects, and applicable regulations to mitigate impacts of MPs. This study also highlights the importance of personality traits and cognitive ability in reducing the entry of MPs into the environment.