Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastics

Dear Colleagues,

Global plastic production has increased exponentially over the past decades. A significant proportion of the plastic produced is not disposed of properly and persists in the environment, especially the marine environment. Plastic products can be slowly degraded into smaller pieces (micro- or even nanoplastics). Micro-and nanoplastics are a potential planetary boundary threat, either purposefully made or forming through ageing and weathering effects. The debris is filtered into marine species’ gastrointestinal tract mechanically or it may look like food to some species, thus entering the food chain, with unknown effects.

Human exposure to microplastics is via both dietary sources and by inhalation. Microplastics can be small enough to be engulfed by cells and be transported by the lymphatic and blood systems, with the potential to bioaccumulate. They may contain harmful chemical additives incorporated during manufacture or may adsorb pollutants from the surrounding environment, which could be released to tissues. Many of these are recognised priority pollutants with known adverse health effects. Additionally, the persistent nature, surface chemistry and irregular shapes of the particles may cause inflammation. Despite the potential for human exposure to microplastics, any health effects are unknown.

Risk assessments and reviews carried out in recent years have concluded that there is evidence that humans are exposed to micro- and nanoplastics through their diet, drinking water or inhalation. However, our understanding of the fate and toxicity of these plastic particles in humans constitutes a major knowledge gap, rendering it difficult to carry out proper science-based risk assessment and management. This Special Issue welcomes any submissions focusing on the latest findings, evidence on the exposure and risk assessment of micro- and nanoplastics to better understand the threat. Studies examining new sources of microplastics, improved detection methods and in vitro tools are welcome.

Dr. Thava Palanisami
Dr. Scott P. Wilson
Dr. Bhavani Narayanaswamy
Guest Editors

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• microplastics
• nanoplastics
• toxicity
• risk assessment
• human health
• ingestion
• inhalation
• chemical migration