Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments
Microplastics are pervasive pollutants in the ocean, threatening ecosystems and human health through bioaccumulation and toxicological effects. This review synthesizes recent findings on microplastic distribution, trophic transfer, and human health impacts. Key findings indicate that microplastic ab...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45628/ |
| _version_ | 1848827469840252928 |
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| author | Ho, Chia Min Feng, Weiying Li, Xiaofeng Ngien, Su Kong Yu, Xuezheng Song, Fanhao Yang, Fang Liao, Haiqing |
| author_facet | Ho, Chia Min Feng, Weiying Li, Xiaofeng Ngien, Su Kong Yu, Xuezheng Song, Fanhao Yang, Fang Liao, Haiqing |
| author_sort | Ho, Chia Min |
| building | UMP Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Microplastics are pervasive pollutants in the ocean, threatening ecosystems and human health through bioaccumulation and toxicological effects. This review synthesizes recent findings on microplastic distribution, trophic transfer, and human health impacts. Key findings indicate that microplastic abundance is highest in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly in seawater and sediment. Morphologically, fibers and fragments dominate, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester being the most prevalent polymers. Smaller particles (<1 mm) undergo long-range transport via ocean currents, while biofouling accelerates vertical sinking. Trophic transfer studies confirm microplastic ingestion across marine food webs. Human exposure is associated with seafood consumption, inhalation of airborne particles, and potential dermal contact, particularly in marine environments. These exposures can lead to adverse health effects, including inflammation, organ damage, respiratory issues, oxidative stress, and metabolic disruptions. Finally, this review explores potential strategies for minimizing human exposure to microplastic pollution in marine environments, paving the way for further research in this critical area. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:01:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | ump-45628 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Pahang |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:01:13Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | ump-456282025-09-30T08:13:47Z https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45628/ Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments Ho, Chia Min Feng, Weiying Li, Xiaofeng Ngien, Su Kong Yu, Xuezheng Song, Fanhao Yang, Fang Liao, Haiqing TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering Microplastics are pervasive pollutants in the ocean, threatening ecosystems and human health through bioaccumulation and toxicological effects. This review synthesizes recent findings on microplastic distribution, trophic transfer, and human health impacts. Key findings indicate that microplastic abundance is highest in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly in seawater and sediment. Morphologically, fibers and fragments dominate, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester being the most prevalent polymers. Smaller particles (<1 mm) undergo long-range transport via ocean currents, while biofouling accelerates vertical sinking. Trophic transfer studies confirm microplastic ingestion across marine food webs. Human exposure is associated with seafood consumption, inhalation of airborne particles, and potential dermal contact, particularly in marine environments. These exposures can lead to adverse health effects, including inflammation, organ damage, respiratory issues, oxidative stress, and metabolic disruptions. Finally, this review explores potential strategies for minimizing human exposure to microplastic pollution in marine environments, paving the way for further research in this critical area. Elsevier 2025-05 Article PeerReviewed pdf en https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45628/1/2025Microplasticdistributionanditsimplicationsforhumanhealththroughmarineenvironments.pdf Ho, Chia Min and Feng, Weiying and Li, Xiaofeng and Ngien, Su Kong and Yu, Xuezheng and Song, Fanhao and Yang, Fang and Liao, Haiqing (2025) Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments. Journal of Environmental Management, 382 (125427). pp. 1-14. ISSN 1095-8630 (Online). (Published) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125427 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125427 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125427 |
| spellingShingle | TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering Ho, Chia Min Feng, Weiying Li, Xiaofeng Ngien, Su Kong Yu, Xuezheng Song, Fanhao Yang, Fang Liao, Haiqing Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| title | Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| title_full | Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| title_fullStr | Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| title_short | Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| title_sort | microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments |
| topic | TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering |
| url | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45628/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45628/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45628/ |