Articles

Due to the staggering quantities of plastic production and disposal around the world, microplastic pollution is a growing environmental and public health concern. Microplastics refer to plastic materials that are less than 5 mm in diameter and are usually found in water, food, soil, and in the atmosphere. The human exposure is primarily by ingestion of contaminated water and food and inhalation of airborne particles. Recent research indicates that microplastics can negatively impact the gut physiology by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, microbial dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and a change in nutrient absorption. Such physiological disturbances can lead to gastrointestinal and systemic diseases. Besides this, microplastics can also potentially communicate with gut microbiota and affect the gut-brain axis, thus having an impact on metabolic and neurological health. This review explains the sources and routes of exposure to microplastic, the processes that lead to physiological changes in the gut, associated systemic health effects, and environmental management measures that can be taken to mitigate human exposure and contamination of the environment. The physiological impact of microplastic pollution should be understood to implement successful environmental policies and public health facilities