Reproductive toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics

Large-scale plastic pollution occurs in terrestrial and marine environments and degrades into microparticles (MP) and nanoparticles (NP) of plastic. Micro/nanoplastics (MP/NPs) are found throughout the environment and different kinds of marine organisms and can enter the human body through inhalation or ingestion, particularly through the food chain. MPs/NPs can enter different organisms, and affect different body systems, including the reproductive, digestive, and nervous systems via the induction of different stresses such as oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This paper summarizes the effects of MPs/NPs of different sizes on the repro-duction of different organisms including terrestrial and marine invertebrates and vertebrates, the amplification of toxic effects between them through the food chain, the serious threat to biodiversity, and, more importantly, the imminent challenge to human reproductive health. There is a need to strengthen international communication and cooperation on the remediation of plastic pollution and the protection of biodiversity to build a sustainable association between humans and other organisms.

Automated summary

Large-scale plastic pollution in terrestrial and marine environments degrades into micro/nanoplastics (MP/NPs), which are found in the environment, marine organisms, and can enter the human body through inhalation or ingestion. These MPs/NPs can enter various organisms and affect different body systems, including reproductive, digestive, and nervous systems, through the induction of different stresses. This paper summarizes the effects of MPs/NPs on the reproductive health of different organisms, the amplification of toxic effects through the food chain, the threat to biodiversity, and the imminent challenge to human reproductive health. Strengthening international communication and cooperation is necessary to remediate plastic pollution and protect biodiversity for a sustainable association between humans and other organisms.