Microplastic in food chain-Major health issues-An update

Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm in length, have been found to have significant negative impacts on both human health and the environment. Due to the alarming increase in contamination worldwide and excessive production of plastics and synthetic materials, there is an urgent need to investigate the effects of those substances on human health. It has been observed that there exists a definite correlation between exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles and the onset of several cancers and other health disorders. Of particular concern are plastic additives, chemical compounds that are intentionally or unintentionally added to plastics to improve functionality or as residual components of plastic production. Microplastics and nanoparticles enter the human body even when consuming drinking water, food and during normal breathing. Contamination may occur also through the migration of nanoplastic particles from the packaging materials into food products. Micro- and nanoplastic fibers are also present in other foods, including beer, honey, table salt, tea bags and sugar. The sources of airborne microplastic include synthetic fabrics from clothing, rubber tire erosion, household objects, building materials, landfills, abrasive powders and 3D printing. Microplastic in the food chain have potential health risks on human includes, cancer, immunotoxicity, intestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, loss of male and female sterility, adverse effects on pregnancy and maternal exposure to progeny. The actual impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health cannot be clearly and completely defined, since it requires extensive, multi-disciplinary long-term research.