NANOPLASTICS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Over the centuries, human populations settled around water tributaries have indiscriminately disposed of their waste by throwing it into rivers, lakes, oceans, and surrounding land. When the quantities of waste, mostly biodegradable, are low, the environmental consequences and on the health of biotic communities are minimal. However, the mass manufacturing and disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic materials since the mid-20th century has had profound biological and environmental effects. Plastics are the most significant example of these ubiquitous synthetic materials. Plastic waste represents a threat to the environment, not only due to its accumulation and contamination, but also due to its constant degradation and transformation into micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs). The size range of MNPLs makes it easier for them to cross the organism's barriers, that is, the natural mechanisms that protect the organism from the entry of harmful substances or pathogens, becoming a potential risk factor for human health due to its relatively unknown. Therefore, the objective of this review is to compile information published in the last 10 years about Nanoplastics and their impact on human health and the environment. It is concluded from the evidence collected that immediate control actions must be carried out and the development of more in-depth research regarding the harmful effects of Nanoplastics on human health, and the need for control policies regarding its use and disposal