Sources of Microplastics in the Environment and HumanExposure Routes: A Review

In this study, the sources of microplastics in the environment, the ways of human exposure tomicroplastics, how to deal with them, and the policies and laws of different countries in this regardare discussed. most of the microplastic pollution comes from textiles, tires and urban dust, whichmake up more than 80% of the microplastics in the environment. the human body is exposedto microplastics through eating food containing microplastics, inhaling microplastics in the air,and skin contact with these particles in products, textiles, or in dust. the main route of humanexposure to microplastic particles in human diet is food and drink. microplastics can enter foodduring food processing, storage, transportation and packaging process. airborne microplasticsare an underestimated hazard, potentially reaching deep into human lungs because they can passthrough the defensive respiratory system. humans may also be exposed to microplastics throughskin contact, following the atmospheric fallout, in this case hair follicles, sweat glands or damagedskin are all ways of entry. some researchers have suggested burning plastics and recovering theresulting energy. nevertheless, plastic recycling is considered a more efficient solution becausethis method reduces the amount of plastic waste produced as opposed to burning.