A Review of Microplastic Pollution: Harmful Effect on Environment and Animals, Remediation Strategies

Microplastics are so widely dispersed and abundant throughout the globe that many scientists consider them to be important markers of the recent and current time, which is known as the Plasticene. The effects of microplastics are still not fully known, though. Because microplastics are multiple stressors with a variety of physical-chemical characteristics, understanding their impact is quite complicated. Toxic chemicals are transported by microplastics in ecosystems, acting as vectors of transport. Also, many dangerous chemicals are added during polymer production to enhance their properties as well as lengthen their life, and these chemicals must have detrimental effect. To date, many significant studies have been conducted, making a good progress to understand the effect of the key plastic additives on the environment. These additives are discharged into the environment and, hence become a source of many health issues, especially, when are coupled with micro-plastics. The current study thoroughly reviewed the most toxic and dangerous chemicals used in the plastic industry, elaborating the effects on organism health. Also, it provided information about the works that explored their abundance on microplastics.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2024).