Core Concepts
Microplastics are a growing environmental concern, with the potential to pose significant risks to human health through various exposure routes, including ingestion and inhalation.
Abstract
The content discusses the increasing production and prevalence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment, and their potential health implications. Key points:
- Plastic production has increased exponentially, from 2 million tons in 1950 to 460 million tons in 2019, with projections to triple by 2060.
- Plastics contain over 10,000 chemicals, including carcinogenic substances and endocrine disruptors, leading to widespread environmental pollution.
- Microplastics and nanoplastics are found in aquatic environments, terrestrial environments, and even in remote locations like the Eastern Alps.
- Microplastics have been identified in hundreds of marine species, including those consumed by humans.
- Humans can be exposed to microplastics through ingestion (e.g., from food and water stored in plastic containers) and inhalation.
- Infants are particularly vulnerable, with high exposure levels from artificial milk preparation in polypropylene baby bottles.
- Microplastics have been linked to potential health risks, such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and other effects on glucose metabolism, reproduction, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism.
- However, the causal relationship between microplastics and disease is not yet fully understood, and the mechanisms by which they may influence cellular functions and induce stress responses require further investigation.
- Future research will focus on quantifying the accumulation of microplastics in human tissues over a lifetime and understanding how their characteristics (e.g., chemical composition, size, shape) can influence organs and tissues.
Stats
Plastic production has increased from 2 million tons in 1950 to 460 million tons in 2019, and is expected to triple by 2060.
Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected at a concentration of approximately 2.4 ± 1.3 × 10^5 particles per liter of bottled water, with around 90% being nanoplastics.
Infants can be exposed to microplastics at levels ranging from 14,600 to 4,550,000 particles per capita per day from artificial milk preparation in polypropylene baby bottles.
In 58.4% of cases, polyvinyl chloride was detected in the carotid artery plaque, with an average level of 5.2 ± 2.4 μg/mg of plaque.
Patients with microplastics inside the atheroma had a higher risk (relative risk, 4.53) for a composite cardiovascular event of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up.
Quotes
"Plastic pollution is one of the great environmental challenges of the 21st century, causing wide-ranging damage to ecosystems and human health."
"The way MNPs can cause harm, including through effects on the immune system and microbiome, will need to be clarified by investigating possible direct cytotoxic effects."