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Review
. 2023 Jan 25;15(3):617.
doi: 10.3390/nu15030617.

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

Khaled Ziani  1 , Corina-Bianca Ioniță-Mîndrican  2 , Magdalena Mititelu  1 , Sorinel Marius Neacșu  3 , Carolina Negrei  2 , Elena Moroșan  1 , Doina Drăgănescu  4 , Olivia-Teodora Preda  2
Affiliations
Review

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

Khaled Ziani et al. Nutrients. .

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.

Keywords: biodegradable materials; ecotoxicity; food safety; plastic pollution; plastic waste; public health; sources of microplastics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Microplastics in aquatic environment. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sources of microplastic contamination (original photographs taken by the authors in isolated locations from Fortul I, Chitila 44°29′46″ N 25°59′12″ E in Romania on 17 September 2022).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sources of microplastic contamination (original photographs taken by the authors in isolated locations from Fortul I, Chitila 44°29′46″ N 25°59′12″ E in Romania on 17 September 2022).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Microplastics detection stages. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The presence of microplastics on the surface of a bee’s body, especially on the edge of the wings and the head. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Microplastics in the terrestrial environment and the influence on apicultural products. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Insulin resistance and exposure to microplastics. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Crossing of microplastics in the digestive tract. Created with BioRender.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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