microplastics : A threat to human life

1. MICROPLASTICS : A THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH
By: Ishika Choudhary; ARKA JAIN UNIVERSITY, Jamshedpur
Ishika.chini.choudhary2000@gmail.com
Microplastics,whose definitionwillbe discussedinthispaper,are usuallyconsideredasdebriswith
sizesbelow5micro metres.Theyresultfromthe fragmentationof largerplasticobjects(secondary
microplastics) andfromthe directrelease of small plasticparticlesfromhumanactivities(primary
microplastics). SecondaryMPsenterthe environmentthroughfragmentation anddegradationof
largerplasticitemsfromexposure toUV light,freezing,wind, wave action,andabrasion.Another
importantsource of secondaryMP pollutionoccursfromthe breakdownof syntheticfibersand
discharge intothe environmentthroughwaste waterfromwashingmachines. Microplasticsonce
releasedintothe environment,persistforlongbefore becomingfullydecomposedandreentering
normal biogeochemical cycles. A hypothetical threattohumanhealthfrommicroplasticscanoccur
by the intake of microplasticsthroughthe foodchain.the microplasticcontaminationof 201 edible
animal species(164sea fish,23 molluscs,7crustaceans,2 birds,2 sweetwaterfish,2 turtles,
chicken),some foodproducts(cannedsardinesandsprats, sea salt, sugar and honey),aswell as
beerand water.Several samplesof waterwere analysed,bothbefore andafterthe purification
plants. Anaverage of 0.7 microplastic piecesperm3 wasdetected.
Some of plastic’singredientsortoxicchemicalsabsorbedbyplastics are harmful,including: Dioxin,
Persistentorganic pollutants(POPs),Polybrominateddiphenyl ethers(PBDEs),Polychlorinated
biphenyls(PCBs),Polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Moreover,drinkingwaterdistributedinplasticbottles,glassbottles andbeverage cartonsobtained
fromgrocery storesinGermanywere alsofoundtocontainmicroplastics.Therefore,the occurrence
of microplasticsinotherfooditemsincreasesconcernaboutthe risksassociatedwithingestionand
long-termexposure tomultiple microplasticsources.
In the marine environment,microplasticsmayactas vehiclesforchemicals,includingthose
intentionallyaddedduringtheirmanufacturingprocess,aswell asenvironmental contaminantsthat
may be absorbedonto theirsurface duringtheiruse andpermanence intothe environment,suchas
styrene,toxicmetals,phthalates, bisphenol A(BPA), polychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCB) andpolycyclic
aromatichydrocarbons(PAHs).Itshouldalsobe stressedthata wide range of chemical products
usedinplasticmanufacturingare recognizedasverytoxictoanimalsandhumans(e.g. carcinogens,
endocrine disruptors,neurotoxicchemicals).
Phthalatesand bisphenol A, forexample,shouldreceive particularattentionbecausetheirtoxicity
has beenproveninanimal studiesandbecause of theirubiquitouspresenceinthe environmentand
the humanbody.
Therefore,ithasbeensuggestedthatplasticdebrismayincrease the global riskof humanand
animal diseases vianewcontamination routes,introductionof pathogensandtheirvectorsintonew
areas throughthe environmental spreadof microplasticsormigrationsof organismscontaminated
withthe pathogensmediatedviamicroplastics. Scientistsspeculate thatmicroplasticswithsize
biggerthan150 μm probablywill notbe absorbedwhilemicroplasticssmallerthan150 μm may

2. translocate fromthe gut cavityto the lymphandcirculatorysystem, causingsystemicexposure.
However,the absorptionof these microplasticsisexpectedtobe limited(≤0.3%).Onlymicroplastics
withsize ≤ 20 μm wouldbe able to penetrate intoorganswhilethe smallestfraction(0.1 > 10 μm)
wouldbe able toaccess all organs,cross cell membranes,the blood-brainbarrierandthe placenta.
Accordingto the analysis,whichsummarizesthe latestknowledgeonmicroplasticsindrinking-
water,microplastics largerthan 150 micrometres are not likelyto be absorbedin the human
body and uptake of smallerparticlesisexpectedtobe limited. Absorptionanddistributionof
verysmall microplasticparticlesincludinginthe nanosize range may,however,be higher,
althoughthe data isextremelylimited.Wastewatertreatmentcanremove more than90% of
microplasticsfromwastewater,withthe highestremovalcomingfromtertiarytreatmentsuch
as filtration.
SolvingMicroplasticPollutionMeans Reducing,Recycling—andFundamental Rethinking.
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0025326X]
Micro plasticbeadsare utilizedformanufacturingof soap,shampoo,deodorant,toothpaste,wrinkle
creams,moisturizers ,shavingcream,sunscreenlotion,facial masks,lipstick, eye shadow, children’s
bubble bath, etc. Everyday use of personal care and cosmetic products releases these plastic
particles directly into wastewater as the products are for the most part washed off or rinsed down
the drainduringor after use.Once released into the environment, microplastic beads of cosmetics
are expected to persist for centuries before becoming fully decomposed and reentering normal
biogeochemical cycles. It was also found that the fine particulates can translocate to bloodstream,
brain and other organs of biota.
Furthermore, inhalation of these tiny particulates has been related to allergic reactions, asthma,
cancer and heart disease among subjects. In human beings the microplastics can be transported
through gastrointestinal tracts to lymph and circulatory systems, through placentas to unborn
fetuses, absorbedinlungswheninhaled,causingavarietyof biological responses from the immune
system and negatively impacting health of body cells.
A possible alternative to traditional microbeads for cosmetics and personal health care products
was suggestedtobe the biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate(PHA) microbeads.BeingsolublePHAs
minimize the potential threats of microplastic beads in the environment. PHAs can biodegrade in
either aerobic or anaerobic environments. The authors have also demonstrated the faster
biodegradationrate of PHAsincomparisonwith othertraditional synthetic polymers.On December
28, 2015, President Obama signed the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, banning plastic
microbeadsin cosmeticsand personal care products. Plasticmicrobeadswere bannedfromshower
gels and toothpaste in the UK last year, but could still be hiding in your suncream or lipstick. Now

3. start-upcompanyNaturbeads,basedatthe Universityof Bath,isworkingwithcompaniesto replace
microplastics in these products with biodegradable microbeads made from cellulose.
Our microbeads are produced using cellulose, the most abundant bio-material on Earth, and what
plants and trees are made of. [A REVIEW ON THE IMPACTS OF MICROPLASTIC BEADS USED IN
COSMETICS; http://www.mcmed.us/journal/abs]
Microplasticsare contaminatingthe fruitandvegetableswe eatincludingapples,carrotsand
lettucesafterbeingabsorbed throughtheirroots.Rootvegetablesincludingradishes,turnipsand
parsnipscouldalsobe contaminatedwiththe man-made waste,promptingfearsoverthe health
impact.The tinypollutantsare thoughtto have beensuckedintoplantsrootswithwater,and then
travelledupthe stemintothe leavesand,where possible,fruits. Appleswere the fruitsmost
contaminatedwithmicroplastics,accordingtoastudypublishedtodayinthe journal Environmental
Research,and carrots were showntobe the mostcontaminatedvegetable.The largestmicroplastics
(2.52 um) were identifiedinlettuces,whilethe smallest(1.51um) were foundincarrots.
1. Apples(M.domestica).Asmuchas195,500 micro- andnano-plasticparticleswere
found.
2. 5. Carrots (D. carota).101,950 micro- and nano-plasticparticleswerefound.
A studypublishedinthe journal of Nature Nanotechnologythisweekalsosaid plantscanabsorb
tiny piecesofplastic through their roots,whichslowstheirgrowth.Nanoplastics reduced thetotal
biomassof modelplants.They were smaller and the rootswere much shorter.
'If youreduce the biomass,it'snotgood forthe plant - the yieldisdownandthe nutritional valueof
crops may be compromised.
There are fourprincipal solutionsthatwill have highimpactonpreventingterrestrial andfreshwater
microplasticsfromforming.Theyare:(1) identifyandquantifyterrestrialmicroplasticsources,(2)
scale zerowaste strategies,(3) pursue policy-drivenEPR,and(4) developnovelbusinesssolutions
[Microplastic:WhatAre the Solutions?Partof the The Handbookof Environmental Chemistrybook
series(HEC,volume 58)]