Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have become a pervasive environmental contaminant detected across a wide range of ecosystems. While the presence of microplastics in marine life and humans has been extensively documented, there remains a significant gap in understa...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Pollutants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4672/4/4/33 |
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| author | Awnon Bhowmik Goutam Saha Suvash C. Saha |
| author_facet | Awnon Bhowmik Goutam Saha Suvash C. Saha |
| author_sort | Awnon Bhowmik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have become a pervasive environmental contaminant detected across a wide range of ecosystems. While the presence of microplastics in marine life and humans has been extensively documented, there remains a significant gap in understanding their full health impacts. Moreover, the effects of microplastics on animals, particularly those in close proximity to human activities, remain underexplored, representing a key area for future research. In this study, we found high levels of microplastic accumulation in animal tissues, particularly in the lungs, intestines, and reproductive organs. Our results also indicate that ingestion of microplastics occurs through multiple environmental sources, including contaminated food, water, and air, reflecting their widespread distribution. Evidence of microplastics crossing biological barriers and accumulating in critical organ systems suggests potential long-term health risks for animals that may also have implications for humans through environmental and food-chain exposure. Given the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the potential for these contaminants to enter the food chain, the presence of microplastics in animals raises serious concerns for broader ecological and human health. The findings underscore the urgent need for further research to clarify the long-term effects and to develop effective strategies for mitigating this emerging global threat. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f4249b911ffa4a159a1400a9b6546ba0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-4672 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pollutants |
| spelling | doaj-art-f4249b911ffa4a159a1400a9b6546ba02025-08-20T02:57:17ZengMDPI AGPollutants2673-46722024-11-014449049710.3390/pollutants4040033Microplastics in Animals: The Silent InvasionAwnon Bhowmik0Goutam Saha1Suvash C. Saha2Department of Business & Management, Colorado State University Global, Denver, CO 80202, USADepartment of Mathematics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, BangladeshSchool of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, AustraliaMicroplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have become a pervasive environmental contaminant detected across a wide range of ecosystems. While the presence of microplastics in marine life and humans has been extensively documented, there remains a significant gap in understanding their full health impacts. Moreover, the effects of microplastics on animals, particularly those in close proximity to human activities, remain underexplored, representing a key area for future research. In this study, we found high levels of microplastic accumulation in animal tissues, particularly in the lungs, intestines, and reproductive organs. Our results also indicate that ingestion of microplastics occurs through multiple environmental sources, including contaminated food, water, and air, reflecting their widespread distribution. Evidence of microplastics crossing biological barriers and accumulating in critical organ systems suggests potential long-term health risks for animals that may also have implications for humans through environmental and food-chain exposure. Given the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the potential for these contaminants to enter the food chain, the presence of microplastics in animals raises serious concerns for broader ecological and human health. The findings underscore the urgent need for further research to clarify the long-term effects and to develop effective strategies for mitigating this emerging global threat.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4672/4/4/33microplasticsanimalsplastic polymersconcentrationcontaminationadverse effects |
| spellingShingle | Awnon Bhowmik Goutam Saha Suvash C. Saha Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion Pollutants microplastics animals plastic polymers concentration contamination adverse effects |
| title | Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion |
| title_full | Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion |
| title_fullStr | Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion |
| title_short | Microplastics in Animals: The Silent Invasion |
| title_sort | microplastics in animals the silent invasion |
| topic | microplastics animals plastic polymers concentration contamination adverse effects |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4672/4/4/33 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT awnonbhowmik microplasticsinanimalsthesilentinvasion AT goutamsaha microplasticsinanimalsthesilentinvasion AT suvashcsaha microplasticsinanimalsthesilentinvasion |