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Time to Safeguard the Future Generations from the Omnipresent Microplastics

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Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) as a ubiquitous environmental pollutant have drawn growing attention, and it is concerning that children are more sensitive to MPs than adults. Unfortunately, information about the link between children and MPs is insufficient. Therefore, we review the sources and exposure routes of children to MPs and collect evidence for the potential risks. Children can ingest and/or inhale MPs derived from various foodstuffs and plastic products. Despite the limited knowledge on the toxicity to humans, current studies have proved the accumulation and translocation of MPs in different tissues and organs. Main damages including cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity can be caused by pristine polymers and/or co-contaminants. There is much more to be understood about MPs, especially their health effects, and this study has made it clear that it is time to protect our future generations from the threat of MPs.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U2032201), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (021114380147).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People’s Republic of China

    Mengjie Wu, Guangxia Liu & Huan Zhong

  2. CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China

    Chen Tu

  3. Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada

    Huan Zhong

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  1. Mengjie Wu
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  2. Chen Tu
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  3. Guangxia Liu
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  4. Huan Zhong
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Correspondence to Huan Zhong.

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Wu, M., Tu, C., Liu, G. et al. Time to Safeguard the Future Generations from the Omnipresent Microplastics. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 107, 793–799 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03252-1

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