From oceans to dinner plates: The impact of microplastics on human health
Ebuka Chizitere Emenike,
Chika J. Okorie,
Toluwalase Ojeyemi,
Abel Egbemhenghe,
Kingsley O. Iwuozor,
Oluwaseyi D. Saliu,
Hussein K. Okoro,
Adewale George Adeniyi
Affiliations
Ebuka Chizitere Emenike
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria; Corresponding author.
Chika J. Okorie
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria
Toluwalase Ojeyemi
Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, USA; Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abel Egbemhenghe
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Art and Science, Texas Tech University, USA; Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria
Kingsley O. Iwuozor
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria
Oluwaseyi D. Saliu
Department of Indutrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
Hussein K. Okoro
Department of Indutrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
Adewale George Adeniyi
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Landmark University, Omu-aran, Nigeria; Corresponding author. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Microplastics, measuring less than 5 mm in diameter, are now found in various environmental media, including soil, water, and air, and have infiltrated the food chain, ultimately becoming a part of the human diet. This study offers a comprehensive examination of the intricate nexus between microplastics and human health, thereby contributing to the existing knowledge on the subject. Sources of microplastics, including microfibers from textiles, personal care products, and wastewater treatment plants, among others, were assessed. The study meticulously examined the diverse routes of microplastic exposure—ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact—offering insights into the associated health risks. Notably, ingestion of microplastics has been linked to gastrointestinal disturbances, endocrine disruption, and the potential transmission of pathogenic bacteria. Inhalation of airborne microplastics emerges as a critical concern, with possible implications for respiratory and cardiovascular health. Dermal contact, although less explored, raises the prospect of skin irritation and allergic reactions. The impacts of COVID-19 on microplastic pollution were also highlighted. Throughout the manuscript, the need for a deeper mechanistic understanding of microplastic interactions with human systems is emphasized, underscoring the urgency for further research and public awareness.
