Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review

Abstract

Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics, ubiquitous in nature and therefore affect both wildlife and humans. They have been detected in many marine species, but also in drinking water and in numerous foods, such as salt, honey and marine organisms. Exposure to microplastics can also occur through inhaled air. Data from animal studies have shown that once absorbed, plastic micro- and nanoparticles can distribute to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidneys and even the brain (crosses the blood–brain barrier). In addition, microplastics are transport operators of persistent organic pollutants or heavy metals from invertebrate organisms to other higher trophic levels. After ingestion, the additives and monomers in their composition can interfere with important biological processes in the human body and can cause disruption of the endocrine, immune system; can have a negative impact on mobility, reproduction and development; and can cause carcinogenesis. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has affected not only human health and national economies but also the environment, due to the large volume of waste in the form of discarded personal protective equipment. The remarkable increase in global use of face masks, which mainly contain polypropylene, and poor waste management have led to worsening microplastic pollution, and the long-term consequences can be extremely devastating if urgent action is not taken.

COVID-19 in the Asia Pacific: impact on climate change, allergic diseases and One Health

“…However, its negative impacts are by far critical such as increased death rate, increased release of microcontaminants (pesticides, biocides, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, flame retardants, and heavy metals), increased biomedical waste generation due to excessive use of personal protective equipment and its disposal, and municipal solid waste generation [ 32 ]. Personal protective equipment can eventually break down into microplastics [ 33 ] and enter the environment, posing a threat to animal and human health by polluting aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments. Discarded protective equipment potentially harm animals by entrapment, entanglement, and ingestion.…”

Accumulation of microplastics in Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas, 1771) in the sand pit lake Kazichene, Bulgaria

“…There is a lot of research on microplastics in organisms, but it mainly focuses on the study of marine species. It is estimated that 267 species worldwide are affected by plastic waste [9]. The research on freshwater organisms mainly focuses on freshwater fish, while there are few reports on gastropods and bivalves.…”

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Polylactic Acid/Tetrapod-Zinc Oxide Whisker Composite Films with Antibacterial Properties

“…However, disposable food packaging films and discarded agricultural films made from these polymers present significant negative impacts to the environment. Environmental problems, such as "White pollution" [3], and "Microplastics" [4] caused by the non-biodegradable material have urged researchers to find biodegradable alternatives. Some of the biodegradable polymer materials, such as polylactic acid (PLA) [5], poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) [6], and polymethyl ethylene carbonate [7], which can be produced by renewable sources, have become a substitute for non-biodegradable polymer ingredients.…”