Unravelling the complex interactions between microplastics and PPCPs: The environment and health implications

The microplastics and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) interaction is a serious environmental problem that has higher impactson both the ecosystems and human health. The presence of microplastics within various environments and the widespread use of PPCPs, leads to complex that make the toxic compounds more persistent and bioavailable. The large surface area, hydrophobicity, and chemical additives of the microplastics, make them effectively adsorb PPCPs. The PPCPs bioaccumulate in aquatic species as a result, which suppresses the contaminants’ natural breakdown processes. Bioaccumulation can increase the possibility of biomagnification through food webs, which increases the concerns about chronic toxicity. These microplastic-PPCP complexes facilitate wide transportation across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric pathways and therefore contaminate the ecosystems. Persistent pollutants cause harm to biodiversity, disrupt necessary ecosystem services, and affect health through contaminated food and water supplies. Thus, studies have evidenced that microplastics ingested by marine biota result in the desorption of adsorbed PPCPs under diverse environmental conditions and also increase exposure level to harmful products. Furthermore, the use of contaminated aquatic products and contaminated drinking water are likely to also affect human beings, such impacts include: importing ARGs within the gut, which might imply the antibiotic resistance. This study reviews the interaction and the mechanisms that cause long term complexity of microplastic-PPCPs in the environment, emphasizing the necessity to reduce their impact on ecosystems and public health through advanced solutions and policies. Advances in multidisciplinary research and waste management practices are needed to conserve ecosystems and bring in a sustainable future.