Abstract

A SYSTEMIC AND COMPLETE REVIEW ON NANOPLASTIC AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH

Nilesh N. Shinde*, Ayaj S. Pathan, Wasim J. Bagwan, Shriram D. Kasar, Kaufiya D. Sayyad, Shruti N. Somwanshi and Shreya C. Kawade

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Abstract

Plastics play a significant role in various aspects of daily life, including technology, medicine, and household appliances. However, the widespread single-use nature of plastics has led to a growing environmental crisis, as most discarded plastics end up in landfills, oceans, and waterways. Among the concerning pollutants are microand nano-plastics (MPs/NPs), which have emerged as a global environmental threat due to their persistence, accumulation, and potential risks to ecosystems. Recent studies have detected these microscopic particles in food products and air samples, raising concerns about human exposure. As plastics degrade from larger fragments to microscopic sizes, their potential toxicity to both the environment and human health becomes more alarming. Although numerous studies have explored the environmental impacts of MPs/NPs, there is still limited research on their effects at the molecular and subcellular levels in the human body. The rising concentration of NMPs, driven by increasing plastic production and consumption, highlights the urgency for comprehensive investigations into their possible health hazards. This growing issue has captured the attention of scientists, policymakers, authorities, non-governmental organizations, and the wider public.

Keywords: Micro/Nano plastics, Potential health hazard, Emerging global pollutant, Human consumption, Usage of plastic.