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Journal of Organic & Inorganic Chemistry
ISSN 2472-1123
2
n d
E d i t i o n o f E u r o S c i C o n C o n f e r e n c e o n
Chemistry
F e b r u a r y 1 9 - 2 0 , 2 0 1 9
P r a g u e , C z e c h R e p u b l i c
Chemistry 2019
M
icroplastics [MPs] include microbeads, fibers and fragments of plastics that are <5 mm in size. Mostly they are produced
by solar UV-facilitated weathering of plastic litter in the marine environment. MPs are now ubiquitous in bodies of water
worldwide. MPs are ingested by a wide range of marine organisms. Over 185 species of birds, 64 species of marine mammals
and numerous plankton species are reported to ingest MPs. At some locations as much as 77% of fish sampled had MPs in their
gut. Given the high plastic/water distribution coefficient, MPs tend to sorb and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sea water
effectively. MPs derived from plastic products contain additives such as plasticizers and flame retardants (that include endocrine
disruptors), used during manufacture. Ingestion thus provides a credible pathway for delivery of a variety of toxic chemicals
into ingesting organisms. Weathering of plastic debris produces nanoplastics [NPs] or microparticles <micron, in addition to the
MPs. Recent studies have shown that far more NPs are produced on weathering of plastics compared to MPs. Ingestion of NPs
by marine organisms is even more concern because the smaller NPs can cross the gut tissue to enter their systemic circulation.
Some evidence of NPs concentrating in specific organs in fish embryo have been reported, potential delivery of sorbed POPs
directly to these organs magnifies their potential adverse physiological impacts. The possibility of MPs and NPs reaching the
human consumer via seafood is a matter of concern. Whether this low intake of MP/NP
via
seafood is significant enough to
result in health hazards is not known at this time. Even in the absence of enough data for a good risk assessment, a precautionary
stance to limit the input of plastics into the oceans needs to be seriously considered.
anthonyandrady@gmail.comMicroplastics: an emerging threat to global oceans
Anthony L Andrady
North Carolina State University, USA
J Org Inorg Chem 2019, Volume: 5
DOI: 10.21767/2472-1123-C1-021