INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY FIELD

Abstract:   Microplastics have emerged as a pervasive environmental contaminant and a growing threat to human health. Detected in food, drinking water, and air, as well as in human tissues such as blood, lungs, and placenta, these particles represent an invisible yet significant risk factor. Human exposure occurs through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, with estimates suggesting that an average individual may consume up to five grams of plastic per week. Current scientific evidence indicates that microplastics and their associated chemical additives contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and impaired cellular function, thereby increasing the risk of chronic diseases affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, and neurological systems. Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and marginalised communities, face heightened risks due to greater exposure and sensitivity. Beyond direct health effects, microplastics act as carriers for toxic chemicals and pathogens, compounding their impact. Despite growing recognition of these hazards, significant gaps remain regarding safe exposure thresholds, long-term health consequences, and interactions with other environmental stressors. The World Health Assembly (WHA76) and international organisations have acknowledged plastics as a global health concern, emphasising the need for coordinated research and policy interventions. Future studies must prioritise standardised methodologies, large-scale epidemiological assessments, and innovative strategies to reduce exposure across the plastic lifecycle. Addressing this crisis requires a multidisciplinary approach linking environmental science, toxicology, public health, and policy. This review underscores the urgent need to strengthen the evidence base and guide global actions to mitigate the human health risks of microplastic pollution.