Microplastic menace: a path forward with innovative solutions to reduce pollution

Abstract

Microplastics are a very complex, diverse, and persistent contaminant class in aquatic ecosystems, providing significant challenges for scientists in developing analytical methodologies, fate and transport models, identification of exposure routes, and toxicological risk evaluation are all key difficulties for scientists. Despite a considerable and developing body of thought concerning the effects of microplastics on aquatic species, nothing is known about the effects of microplastics on humans. Microplastics have been found in food all across the world. As a result, human exposure to microplastics through tainted food is unavoidable, possibly creating health risks. In recent years, a major research effort has added to our understanding, but there is an urgent need to simplify and integrate the findings. This review focuses on the effects of microplastics as well as methods for decomposing plastics without creating microplastic particles. Among the various plastic breakdown methods, employing microorganisms and nanotechnology might be a long-term solution in preventing environmental microplastic contamination.