Ecological and Public Health Effects of Microplastics Pollution

 

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Arias Andrés, María de Jesús, Rojas Jiménez, Keilor Osvaldo
Formato: capítulo de libro
Fecha de Publicación:2022
Descripción:Humans and ecosystems are constantly exposed to microplastics (MP). The magnitude of contamination, their ubiquity, and high persistence over time raise serious concerns about their effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. MP represent a diverse class of contaminants occurring on a continuum of sizes and in various shapes and presenting a complex composition that includes several types of polymers and several associated pollutants. In short, MP are perhaps one of the most challenging contaminants created by humankind. The effects of exposure to these pollutants are of growing concern even though the type and level of exposure and the specific risks for humans and ecosystem health have not yet been entirely determined. In this chapter, we identify critical qualitative and quantitative aspects of MP sources and exposure routes and toxicity profiles and confront them with research on MP effects and estimations of risks to human and environmental health. Finally, we highlight that some novel sources of MP contamination pose a serious risk of exposure to humans and ecosystems, such as nanoplastics and the recycled plastics incorporated into road pavements and construction.
País:Kérwá
Institución:Universidad de Costa Rica
Repositorio:Kérwá
Lenguaje:Inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:kerwa.ucr.ac.cr:10669/87216
Acceso en línea:https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-89220-3_19
https://hdl.handle.net/10669/87216
Palabra clave:Microplastics
Nanoplastics
Ingestion pathways
Exposure
HEALTH RISK
Ecological risks