Air pollution and its impacts on health: Focus on microplastics and nanoplastics

Abstract

Air pollution represents a significant public health concern, contributing to approximately 6.7 million premature deaths annually. Among the various pollutants, particulate matter (PM)_2.5, emitted from fossil fuel combustion, poses a significant health risk. It induces oxidative stress and increases respiratory and cardiovascular disease risk. Recently, particulate plastics, classified as microplastics (MPs) (less than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (NPs) (less than 1 μm), have been identified as environmental contaminants. It has been demonstrated that plastic particles, including MPs and NPs, can gain access to the human body via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact, resulting in various adverse health effects, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Particulate plastics have been identified in human biological samples, including blood, saphenous vein tissues and lung tissues. Moreover, their presence in PM_2.5, particularly in urban settings, exacerbates the health risks associated with air pollution. This review addresses the sources, detection, health effects, and mitigation strategies for particulate plastics in the atmosphere. Additionally, the study discusses the biological degradation of particulate plastics by microorganisms and the potential of advanced oxidation processes for their removal. These comprehensive approaches could reduce the environment and human health from the adverse effects of airborne particulate plastics.

Keywords: Air pollution; Health risks; Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Oxidative stress; PM(2.5).