A review of the harm of environmental pollutants to human health: Take microplastic, insecticide, and PFAS as examples

Abstract

Environmental pollution is a key issue of social concern. Pollutants generated by a variety of human activities are eventually discharged into the atmosphere, water bodies, and soil, and these pollutants have great negative impacts on the human body. Taking Microplastics (MPs), pesticides, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as examples, this paper explores the sources of three new types of pollutants in the environment and the hazards to the human body respectively, and proposes corresponding management measures in the hope of raising people’s awareness of environmental protection. The results show that MPs mainly come from industrial and agricultural applications and poorly managed wastes, with potential reproductive toxicity and immunotoxicity to the human body; pesticides mainly come from agricultural applications, and high concentrations of pesticides can lead to acute toxicity in the human body, while low concentrations of pesticides may have an immunosuppressive effect on the human body; PFAS mainly come from industrial production, and it has been established that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to PFAS exposure. Restricting the production and use of related products and strengthening supervision and monitoring can effectively control environmental pollution and reduce harm to human beings.