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Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity

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  • Edith Dube

    (Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa)

  • Grace Emily Okuthe

    (Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa)

Abstract

Plastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few. Excessive use of plastics results in a lot of plastic waste buildup. Poorly managed plastic waste (as shown by heaps of plastic waste on dumpsites, in free spaces, along roads, and in marine systems) and the plastic in landfills, are just a fraction of the plastic waste in the environment. A complete picture should include the micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere, as the current extreme weather conditions (which are effects of climate change), wear and tear, and other factors promote MNP formation. MNPs pose a threat to the environment more than their pristine counterparts. This review highlights the entry and occurrence of primary and secondary MNPs in the soil, water and air, together with their aging. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization, by plants, animals, and humans are discussed, together with their toxicity effects. Finally, the future perspective and conclusion are given. The material utilized in this work was acquired from published articles and the internet using keywords such as plastic waste, degradation, microplastic, aging, internalization, and toxicity.

Suggested Citation

  • Edith Dube & Grace Emily Okuthe, 2023. "Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:17:p:6667-:d:1227366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessio Facciolà & Giuseppa Visalli & Marianna Pruiti Ciarello & Angela Di Pietro, 2021. "Newly Emerging Airborne Pollutants: Current Knowledge of Health Impact of Micro and Nanoplastics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. XiaoZhi Lim, 2021. "Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?," Nature, Nature, vol. 593(7857), pages 22-25, May.
    3. Ken E. Giller & Thomas Delaune & João Vasco Silva & Mark Wijk & James Hammond & Katrien Descheemaeker & Gerrie Ven & Antonius G. T. Schut & Godfrey Taulya & Regis Chikowo & Jens A. Andersson, 2021. "Small farms and development in sub-Saharan Africa: Farming for food, for income or for lack of better options?," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(6), pages 1431-1454, December.
    4. Pieter Jan Kole & Ansje J. Löhr & Frank G. A. J. Van Belleghem & Ad M. J. Ragas, 2017. "Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-31, October.
    5. Kinga Jarosz & Rafał Janus & Mariusz Wądrzyk & Wanda Wilczyńska-Michalik & Piotr Natkański & Marek Michalik, 2022. "Airborne Microplastic in the Atmospheric Deposition and How to Identify and Quantify the Threat: Semi-Quantitative Approach Based on Kraków Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Edith Dube & Grace Emily Okuthe, 2024. "Plastic and Micro/Nanoplastic Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Impacts, and Solutions," World, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-21, May.

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