Micro- and Nano-plastics and Human Health

摘要: Plastics are highly versatile materials that have brought huge societal benefits. They can be manufactured at low cost and their lightweight adaptable nature has a myriad of applications in all aspects everyday life, including food packaging, consumer products, medical devices construction. By 2050, however, it is anticipated an extra 33 billion tonnes plastic will added to the planet. Given most currently used polymers resistant degradation, this influx persistent, complex risk human environmental health. Continuous daily interaction with items allows oral, dermal inhalation exposure chemical components, leading widespread presence body chemicals associated plastics. Indiscriminate disposal places burden on waste management systems, allowing wastes infiltrate ecosystems, potential contaminate chain. Of particular concern been reported microscopic debris, or microplastics (debris ≤1 mm size), aquatic, terrestrial marine habitats. Yet, for nanoplastics origin cause harm health remains understudied. In article, some widely encountered plastics use identified hazards listed. Different routes populations, both additives, from discarded debris discussed. Risks additives considered identified. Finally, recent developments delivering new generation safer, more sustainable considered.