A review on micro and nano plastics: A rising concern as food contaminants

Abstract

Micro and nano plastics (MNPs) are rapidly becoming a global concern as pollutants in the environment due to the risks that they pose to food safety and human health. As particles with a size of below 5mm (microplastics) and 1µm (nanoplastics) in size, MNPs are derived from many sources such as the breakdown of larger plastic waste, synthetic textiles, personal care products, and industrial operations. Research done on MNPs shows that the particles are common in water bodies with reported concentrations of up to 1,700,000 particles per square kilometer in some regions of the seas. These particles have increasingly been found in food products including seafood, freshwater fish, salt, honey, and bottled water amongst others, current investigations indicate that an individual may intake tens of thousands of microplastic particles per year.Some of the health effects that arise from MNP ingestion are as follows. Based on in vitro studies, it has been revealed that MNPs may cause inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and possible endocrine disruption in animals. Besides, they can capture hazardous substances like POPs and heavy metals, which may be transported into the human digestive system and increase the chance of negative health consequences. Nevertheless, based on the presented results, current regulation appears insufficient to tackle accomplished issues in MNP contamination and thus requires usage of new approaches for detection and thorough evaluation of potential risks.This review brings together existing information on sources, routes of exposure, and possible effects of MNPs on human health in the food chain. In particular, it highlights the need for the creation of cooperative international laws as a measure of dealing with MNP contamination and improving the population’s health.