Investigation of microplastics as emerging contaminants in sources and health effects on humans, review study
Subject Areas : environmental engineeringMarjan Salari 1 * , Mohammadbagher Khorasani 2
1 - Sirjan University of Technology
2 - Sirjan University of Technology
Keywords: Microplastics (MPs), Environmental resources, Health effects, Environment,
Abstract :
In recent years, environmental contamination with plastics has become one of the biggest concerns of various communities. Microplastics (MPs) are plastics less than 5 mm in size. MPs remain in the environment for thousands of years without decomposing. However, accurate analytical methods for the detection and characterization of MPs are scarce. In this descriptive-review study, based on the studies of various researchers and the papers of recent years, this contamination has been introduced and its adverse effects on human health and different environments have been discussed. The results of the studies have shown that microplastic contamination of salt has been reported significantly between four different sources: sea salt 0-1674, lake salt 8-468 and well rock salt 0-204 microplastic per kg (MPs/kg). The number of MPs in untreated water is 1437±34 to 3605±497 particles per liter and in general, the amount of microplastics in treated water is about 83% less than untreated water generally. The length and diameter should be considered when reporting the presence of MPs because the diameter is significant for respiration, while length plays a vital in durability and toxicity. Although the adverse health effects of microplastics have not been fully revealed, but the transfer of chemicals from microplastics to living organisms is a significant concern, and a better understanding of the potential dangers of microplastics is essential to human health.
Abbasi, S., Keshavarzi, B., Moore, F., Turner, A., Kelly, F. J., Dominguez, A. O., & Jaafarzadeh, N. (2019). Distribution and potential health impacts of microplastics and microrubbers in air and street dusts from Asaluyeh County, Iran. Environmental pollution, 244, 153-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.039
Allen, S., Allen, D., Phoenix, V. R., Le Roux, G., Jiménez, P. D., Simonneau, A., ... & Galop, D. (2019). Atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in a remote mountain catchment. Nature Geoscience, 12(5), 339-344. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0335-5
Alighardashi, A., Mirabi, M., & Haghighat, G. A. (2019). An overview on PCBs in the environment, their health effects, identifying and removal methods. Journal of Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. 6 (1):87-100.
Ambrosini, R., Azzoni, R. S., Pittino, F., Diolaiuti, G., Franzetti, A., & Parolini, M. (2019). First evidence of microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of an alpine glacier. Environmental pollution, 253, 297-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.005
Asrin, N. R. N., & Dipareza, A. (2019). Microplastics in ambient air (case study: Urip Sumoharjo street and Mayjend Sungkono street of Surabaya City, Indonesia). IAETSD–J Adv Res Appl Sci, 6(1), 54-57.
Barboza, L. G. A., Vethaak, A. D., Lavorante, B. R., Lundebye, A. K., & Guilhermino, L. (2018). Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health. Marine pollution bulletin, 133, 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.05.047
Cai, L., Wang, J., Peng, J., Tan, Z., Zhan, Z., Tan, X., & Chen, Q. (2017). Characteristic of microplastics in the atmospheric fallout from Dongguan city, China: preliminary research and first evidence. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(32), 24928-24935. 10.1007/s11356-017-0116-x
Chen, Q., Reisser, J., Cunsolo, S., Kwadijk, C., Kotterman, M., Proietti, M., ... & Koelmans, A. A. (2018). Pollutants in plastics within the north Pacific subtropical gyre. Environmental science & technology, 52(2), 446-456. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b04682
Chen, G., Fu, Z., Yang, H., & Wang, J. (2020). An overview of analytical methods for detecting microplastics in the atmosphere. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 115981.
Deng, Y., Zhang, Y., Lemos, B., & Ren, H. (2017). Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure. Scientific reports, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46687
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Saad, M., Renault, N., & Tassin, B. (2015). Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris. Environmental Chemistry, 12(5), 592-599. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN14167
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Saad, M., Mirande, C., & Tassin, B. (2016). Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: a source of microplastics in the environment?. Marine pollution bulletin, 104(1-2), 290-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.006
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Mirande, C., Mandin, C., Guerrouache, M., Langlois, V., & Tassin, B. (2017). A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments. Environmental pollution, 221, 453-458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.013
Danopoulos, E., Jenner, L., Twiddy, M., & Rotchell, J. M. (2020). Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SN Applied Sciences, 2(12), 1-18.
Foley, C. J., Feiner, Z. S., Malinich, T. D., & Höök, T. O. (2018). A meta-analysis of the effects of exposure to microplastics on fish and aquatic invertebrates. Science of the total environment, 631, 550-559.
Gasperi, J., Wright, S. L., Dris, R., Collard, F., Mandin, C., Guerrouache, M., ... & Tassin, B. (2018). Microplastics in air: are we breathing it in?. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2017.10.002
Hernandez, L. M., Xu, E. G., Larsson, H. C., Tahara, R., Maisuria, V. B., & Tufenkji, N. (2019). Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environmental science & technology, 53(21), 12300-12310. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02540
Hidayaturrahman, H., & Lee, T. G. (2019). A study on characteristics of microplastic in wastewater of South Korea: Identification, quantification, and fate of microplastics during treatment process. Marine pollution bulletin, 146, 696-702.
Karami, A., Golieskardi, A., Choo, C. K., Larat, V., Galloway, T. S., & Salamatinia, B. (2017). The presence of microplastics in commercial salts from different countries. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46173
Kaya, A. T., Yurtsever, M., & Bayraktar, S. Ç. (2018). Ubiquitous exposure to microfiber pollution in the air. The European Physical Journal Plus, 133(11), 488. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2018-12372-7
Kim, J. S., Lee, H. J., Kim, S. K., & Kim, H. J. (2018). Global pattern of microplastics (MPs) in commercial food-grade salts: sea salt as an indicator of seawater MP pollution. Environmental science & technology, 52(21), 12819-12828. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b04180
Kishipour, A., Mostafaloo, R., ARAST, Y., & ASADI GHALHARI, M. (2020). Micro-plastics as a new Challenge in Water Resource Management; Various forms and Removal Methods,(A review study). Environmental Health, 6(1), 34-44.
Klein, M., & Fischer, E. K. (2019). Microplastic abundance in atmospheric deposition within the Metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany. Science of the Total Environment, 685, 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.405
Koelmans, A. A., Nor, N. H. M., Hermsen, E., Kooi, M., Mintenig, S. M., & De France, J. (2019). Microplastics in freshwaters and drinking water: Critical review and assessment of data quality. Water research, 155, 410-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.054
Kosuth, M., Mason, S. A., & Wattenberg, E. V. (2018). Anthropogenic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt. PloS one, 13(4), e0194970. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194970
Kutralam-Muniasamy, G., Pérez-Guevara, F., Elizalde-Martínez, I., & Shruti, V. C. (2020). Branded milks–Are they immune from microplastics contamination?. Science of the Total Environment, 714, 136823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136823
Lebreton, L., & Andrady, A. (2019). Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal. Palgrave Communications, 5(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-018-0212-7
Lee, H., Kunz, A., Shim, W. J., & Walther, B. A. (2019). Microplastic contamination of table salts from Taiwan, including a global review. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46417-z
Liebezeit, G., & Liebezeit, E. (2013). Non-pollen particulates in honey and sugar. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 30(12), 2136-2140. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2013.843025
Liebezeit, G., & Liebezeit, E. (2015). Origin of synthetic particles in honeys. Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 65(2). DOI: 10.1515/pjfns-2015-0025
Liu, C., Li, J., Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Deng, J., Gao, Y., ... & Sun, H. (2019). Widespread distribution of PET and PC microplastics in dust in urban China and their estimated human exposure. Environment international, 128, 116-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.04.024
Liu, K., Wang, X., Wei, N., Song, Z., & Li, D. (2019). Accurate quantification and transport estimation of suspended atmospheric microplastics in megacities: Implications for human health. Environment international, 132, 105127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105127
Liu, K., Wu, T., Wang, X., Song, Z., Zong, C., Wei, N., & Li, D. (2019). Consistent transport of terrestrial microplastics to the ocean through atmosphere. Environmental science & technology, 53(18), 10612-10619. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b03427
Mason, S. A., Welch, V. G., & Neratko, J. (2018). Synthetic polymer contamination in bottled water. Frontiers in chemistry, 6, 407. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2018.00407
Masura, J., Baker, J., Foster, G., & Arthur, C. (2015). Laboratory Methods for the Analysis of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments.
Mintenig, S. M., Löder, M. G. J., Primpke, S., & Gerdts, G. (2019). Low numbers of microplastics detected in drinking water from ground water sources. Science of the total environment, 648, 631-635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.178
Paredes, M., Castillo, T., Viteri, R., Fuentes, G., & Bodero, E. (2019). Microplastics in the drinking water of the Riobamba city, Ecuador. Przegląd Naukowy. Inżynieria i Kształtowanie Środowiska, 28(4 [86]). DOI: 10.22630/PNIKS.2019.28.4.59
Peixoto, D., Pinheiro, C., Amorim, J., Oliva-Teles, L., Guilhermino, L., & Vieira, M. N. (2019). Microplastic pollution in commercial salt for human consumption: A review. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 219, 161-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2019.02.018
Pivokonsky, M., Cermakova, L., Novotna, K., Peer, P., Cajthaml, T., & Janda, V. (2018). Occurrence of microplastics in raw and treated drinking water. Science of the total environment, 643, 1644-1651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.102
Prata, J. C. (2018). Airborne microplastics: consequences to human health?. Environmental pollution, 234, 115-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.043
Renzi, M., & Blašković, A. (2018). Litter & microplastics features in table salts from marine origin: Italian versus Croatian brands. Marine pollution bulletin, 135, 62-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.065
Renzi, M., Grazioli, E., Bertacchini, E., & Blašković, A. (2019). Microparticles in table salt: Levels and chemical composition of the smallest dimensional fraction. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 7(9), 310. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse7090310
Rochman, C. M., Browne, M. A., Halpern, B. S., Hentschel, B. T., Hoh, E., Karapanagioti, H. K., ... & Thompson, R. C. (2013). Classify plastic waste as hazardous. Nature, 494(7436), 169-171. https://doi.org/10.1038/494169a
Rist, S., Almroth, B. C., Hartmann, N. B., & Karlsson, T. M. (2018). A critical perspective on early communications concerning human health aspects of microplastics. Science of the Total Environment, 626, 720-726.
Schirinzi, G. F., Pérez-Pomeda, I., Sanchís, J., Rossini, C., Farré, M., & Barceló, D. (2017). Cytotoxic effects of commonly used nanomaterials and microplastics on cerebral and epithelial human cells. Environmental Research, 159, 579-587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.043
Schymanski, D., Goldbeck, C., Humpf, H. U., & Fürst, P. (2018). Analysis of microplastics in water by micro-Raman spectroscopy: release of plastic particles from different packaging into mineral water. Water research, 129, 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.011
Schwabl, P., Köppel, S., Königshofer, P., Bucsics, T., Trauner, M., Reiberger, T., & Liebmann, B. (2019). Detection of various microplastics in human stool: a prospective case series. Annals of internal medicine, 171(7), 453-457. https://doi.org/10.7326/M19-0618
Seth, C. K., & Shriwastav, A. (2018). Contamination of Indian sea salts with microplastics and a potential prevention strategy. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(30), 30122-30131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3028-5
Strand, J., Feld, L., Murphy, F., Mackevica, A., & Hartmann, N. B. (2018). Analysis of microplastic particles in Danish drinking water (p. 34). DCE-Danish Centre for Environment and Energy.
Tahir, A., Taba, P., Samawi, M. F., & Werorilangi, S. (2019). Microplastics in water, sediment and salts from traditional salt producing ponds. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 5(4), 431-440. 10.22034/GJESM.2019.04.03
Thompson, R. C. (2015). Microplastics in the marine environment: sources, consequences and solutions. In Marine anthropogenic litter (pp. 185-200). Springer, Cham.
Uhl, W., Eftekhardadkhah, M., & Svendsen, C. (2018). ‘Mapping Microplastic in Norwegian Drinking Water. Atlantic, 185, 491-497.
Vianello, A., Jensen, R. L., Liu, L., & Vollertsen, J. (2019). Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45054-w
Wang, Z., Lin, T., & Chen, W. (2020). Occurrence and removal of microplastics in an advanced drinking water treatment plant (ADWTP). Science of the Total Environment, 700, 134520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134520
Wang, X., Li, C., Liu, K., Zhu, L., Song, Z., & Li, D. (2020). Atmospheric microplastic over the South China Sea and East Indian Ocean: abundance, distribution and source. Journal of hazardous materials, 389, 121846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121846
Wilcox, C., Hardesty, B. D., & Law, K. L. (2019). Abundance of floating plastic particles is increasing in the Western North Atlantic Ocean. Environmental science & technology, 54(2), 790-796. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b04812
Wright, S. L., Ulke, J., Font, A., Chan, K. L. A., & Kelly, F. J. (2020). Atmospheric microplastic deposition in an urban environment and an evaluation of transport. Environment international, 136, 105411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105411
Wright, S. L., & Kelly, F. J. (2017). Plastic and human health: a micro issue?. Environmental science & technology, 51(12), 6634-6647.
Yang, D., Shi, H., Li, L., Li, J., Jabeen, K., & Kolandhasamy, P. (2015). Microplastic pollution in table salts from China. Environmental science & technology, 49(22), 13622-13627. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b03163
Yukioka, S., Tanaka, S., Nabetani, Y., Suzuki, Y., Ushijima, T., Fujii, S., ... & Singh, S. (2020). Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in surface road dust in Kusatsu (Japan), Da Nang (Vietnam), and Kathmandu (Nepal). Environmental Pollution, 256, 113447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113447
Zhang, Q., Xu, E. G., Li, J., Chen, Q., Ma, L., Zeng, E. Y., & Shi, H. (2020). A review of microplastics in table salt, drinking water, and air: direct human exposure. Environmental science & technology, 54(7), 3740-3751. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b04535