Potent Impact of Plastic Nanomaterials and Micromaterials on the Food Chain and Human Health

Abstract

Plastic products are inexpensive, convenient, and are have many applications in daily life. We overuse plastic-related products and ineffectively recycle plastic that is difficult to degrade. Plastic debris can be fragmented into smaller pieces by many physical and chemical processes. Plastic debris that is fragmented into microplastics or nanoplastics has unclear effects on organismal systems. Recently, this debris was shown to affect biota and to be gradually spreading through the food chain. In addition, studies have indicated that workers in plastic-related industries develop many kinds of cancer because of chronic exposure to high levels of airborne microplastics. Microplastics and nanoplastics are everywhere now, contaminating our water, air, and food chain. In this review, we introduce a classification of plastic polymers, define microplastics and nanoplastics, identify plastics that contaminate food, describe the damage and diseases caused by microplastics and nanoplastics, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of this damage and disease as well as solutions for their amelioration. Thus, we expect to contribute to the understanding of the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on cellular and molecular mechanisms and the ways that the uptake of microplastics and nanoplastics are potentially dangerous to our biota. After understanding the issues, we can focus on how to handle the problems caused by plastic overuse.

Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…2020 ), with seafood being a major medium of exposure ( van Raamsdonk et al. 2020 ; YL Wang et al. 2020 ).…”

“…Key toxic mechanisms include cytotoxicity via oxidative stress ( Chang et al. 2020 ), gene expression alteration and genotoxicity ( YL Wang et al. 2020 ) changes to the gut microbiota ( van Raamsdonk et al.…”

“…Recently reported potential human effects include GI and liver toxicity (Chang et al 2020;W Wang et al 2019) as well as neurotoxicity (Prüst et al 2020). The key identified exposure route is ingestion (along with inhalation) (Chang et al 2020;Hale et al 2020), with seafood being a major medium of exposure (van Raamsdonk et al 2020;YL Wang et al 2020). Key toxic mechanisms include cytotoxicity via oxidative stress (Chang et al 2020), gene expression alteration and genotoxicity (YL Wang et al 2020) changes to the gut microbiota (van Raamsdonk et al 2020), metabolism disorders, and inflammatory reactions (Chang et al 2020).…”

Extraction optimization and microencapsulation of phenolic antioxidant compounds from lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis L.): Instant soluble tea production

“…Hernandez et al (2019) reported that the micro-and nano-plastic particles that can potentially have toxic effects on humans were released from teabags into the prepared infusion. Furthermore, the remaining plastic-based teabags after the infusion process can have adverse effects on the environment due to their slow biodegradation rate (Wang et al, 2020). When instant tea powder option is selected, on the other hand, it is possible to standardize the extraction of bioactive compounds from the plant material and produce an easy to use instant soluble tea powder for the consumers.…”

The Recent Progress in Nanotoxicology and Nanosafety from the Point of View of Both Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

“…Currently, microplastics and nanoplastics are everywhere, contaminating our water, air, and food chain [ 18 ]. The toxicity of microplastic exposure on humans and aquatic organisms has been documented, but data on the toxicity and behavioral changes of nanoplastics in mammals are scarce.…”