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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Research Article
Airborne microplastics: Emerging threats and health implications for humans
Aiswarya R, Suha C, Swathi T, Monish Raj R and Pradeepa A K
Year : 2025 | Pages: 73-76
Received on: 15/09/2025
Revised on: 21/10/2025
Accepted on: 31/10/2025
Published on: 12/11/2025
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Aiswarya R, Suha C, Swathi T, Monish Raj R and Pradeepa A K( 2025).
Airborne microplastics: Emerging threats and health implications for humans
. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 10( 6), 73-76.
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Abstract
Airborne microplastics (MPs) have recently emerged as a pervasive environmental contaminant with growing concern for human health. These particles, derived from the degradation of plastics and synthetic fibers, are now detected in indoor and outdoor air, posing new challenges to environmental and biomedical sciences. This review synthesizes current findings on the sources, atmospheric transport, exposure routes, and toxicological impacts of airborne microplastics on humans. Evidence from recent studies indicates that inhalation and ingestion are the primary exposure pathways, allowing MPs to accumulate in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. The physicochemical properties of these particles—such as size, morphology, and polymer composition—significantly influence their biological interactions and toxicity. Health effects include oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential interference with cellular metabolism, contributing to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. Despite increasing research attention, large-scale epidemiological data and standardized analytical protocols remain limited. Future work should emphasize advanced detection techniques, risk assessment frameworks, and policy measures to mitigate airborne plastic pollution and safeguard public health.
Keywords
Human health, Toxicity, Respiratory effects, Inhalation exposure, Atmospheric transport.
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© The Author(s) 2025. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
