Micro and Nanoplastics on Human Health and Diseases: Perspectives and Recent Advances

Micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) are constantly formed through macroplastic fragmentation by sunlight, friction, or oxidation. MNPs potentialize the health risks en-tering the human body by ingestion, infusion, inhalation, and skin absorption. Still, the translocation among intracellular compartments must also be considered because MNPs can reach the circulatory system and be found in virtually all body fluids, tissues, and organs, potentially causing significant health impacts. The ability of MNPs to interact with macromolecules and cause damage to intracellular structures results in several physiopathological conditions, such as inflammation, oxidative imbalance, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. One major challenge in MNPs research is the development of reliable detection and quantification methods and effective sample separation processes. Alt-hough there is evidence directly linking MNPs to heart disease, the same cannot be said for diseases such as cancer, respiratory conditions and reproductive system disorders. Therefore, the impact of MNPs on human health and evaluate their effects on human health. We reviewed extensive scientific literature from the past years, focusing on ex-posure, aging, interactions and effects on entering MNPs into human metabolism and the physiological systems, which makes these particles particularly hazardous.