Microplastics Challenges Advances And Solutions In Environmental And Health Research

Purpose: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive pollutants in atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems, raising growing concerns about their ecological and human health impacts. This study aims to examine their environmental sources, transport pathways, human exposure routes, toxicological implications, and recent advancements in detection technologies. Methodology: A narrative review method was adopted, synthesizing findings from 32 peer-reviewed studies published between 2009 and 2024 and sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Results: The results reveal that MPs primarily originate from land-based activities and enter environmental compartments through atmospheric deposition, surface runoff, industrial discharges, and improper plastic waste management. Human exposure occurs predominantly via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. MPs have been detected in food, water, air, and human tissues including lungs, placenta, breast milk, and blood posing risks such as inflammation, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive harm. Despite advances in detection technologies (e.g., FTIR, Raman, Py-GC/MS, SEM, microfluidics), standardization remains a critical gap. Conclusion: This review underscores the urgent need for harmonized detection protocols, improved environmental monitoring, and interdisciplinary research. The study proposes policy recommendations targeting regulation, plastic alternatives, biomonitoring, and global mitigation strategies to address the growing threat of microplastics to ecosystems and human well-being.