Recognition and detection technology for microplastic, its source and health effects

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Feb;31(8):11428-11452. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-31655-6. Epub 2024 Jan 6.

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) is ubiquitous in the environment which appeared as an immense intimidation to human and animal health. The plastic fragments significantly polluted the ocean, fresh water, food chain, and other food items. Inadequate maintenance, less knowledge of adverse influence along with inappropriate usage in addition throwing away of plastics items revolves present planet in to plastics planet. The present study aims to focus on the recognition and advance detection technologies for MPs and the adverse effects of micro- and nanoplastics on human health. MPs have rigorous adverse effect on human health that leads to condensed growth rates, lessened reproductive capability, ulcer, scrape, and oxidative nervous anxiety, in addition, also disturb circulatory and respiratory mechanism. The detection of MP particles has also placed emphasis on identification technologies such as scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical detection, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-analytical techniques, flow cytometry, holography, and hyperspectral imaging. It suggests that further research should be explored to understand the source, distribution, and health impacts and evaluate numerous detection methodologies for the MPs along with purification techniques.

Keywords: Degradation; Detection techniques; Identification; Microplastics (MPs); health effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Fresh Water
  • Humans
  • Microplastics*
  • Plastics / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

  • Microplastics
  • Plastics
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical