Microplastics and nanoplastics are an emerging threat to cardiovascular health
How plastics are degraded?
Plastics are everywhere, from our oceans to the air we breathe. They’ve infiltrated every corner of our planet due to their widespread use.
Plastics can contaminate the environment through ocean currents, atmospheric winds, and terrestrial processes, leading to their widespread dispersion.
Once released into nature, plastics undergo degradation, resulting in the formation of
Microplastics (particles smaller than 5 millimetres) and
Nanoplastics (particles smaller than 1,000 nanometres).
Process-It can be categorized into photodegradation (UV light from the Sun), thermal degradation, chemical degradation, and biodegradation.
Both microplastics and nano plastics (MNP) induce various toxic effects.
What are the challenges of MNP?
Detection- MNPs range from visible particles to those on the nanoscale, making detection and quantification difficult.
Slow degradation- MNPs persist in in the environment due to their slow degradation rates, thier long lasting presence poses risks to ecosystems and living organisms.
Diverse sources- Both originate from various sources, including plastic waste, fragmentation of larger plastics and unintentional release during production and use.
Biological effects- Both can harm etabolic, morphological, physiological, and behavioral processes in organisms, their impacts occurs at both cellular and ecosystem levels.
Lack of standardization-Assessing the risks of NPs for human health is challenging due to the lack of a comprehensive framework.
Ecosystem disruption- Accumulatio of MPs and NPs affect ecosytem functions including nutrient cycling, food webs and biodiversity, their presence disrupts natural processes.
Lack of awareness- Consumers may lack awareness of MNP-containing products and their potential health and environmental implications, highlighting the need for transparent labeling practices.
What are the impacts of MNP?
Ingestion by marine organisms- MNP is ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from tiny plankton to large fish and mammals.
Chemical toxicity- It can adsorb and concentrate harmful chemicals from the water, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which then can be ingested by marine organisms.
Biomagnification- The accumulation of MNPs in smaller organisms can lead to biomagnification, where higher concentrations of MNPs and associated toxins are found in larger predators up the food chain, including humans.
Soil health- It can alter soil structure and function, affecting water retention, nutrient availability, and soil microbial communities.
Wildlife exposure- Terrestrial animals, including insects, birds, and mammals, can ingest MNPs through contaminated soil, water, and food sources, leading to similar health issues as observed in marine life.
Human health- It can enter the human body via ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact which result in cardiovascular dysfunction, gut health issues, hormonal interference etc.,
What lies ahead?
As plastics continue to infiltrate our environment, mitigating their impact on human health must become a top priority.
Addressing the global challenge of MNPs requires international cooperation and coordination among governments, industry, academia, and civil society.
Harmonizing standards, sharing data and best practices, and promoting collaboration are essential for effective MNP management.
