Instrumental Detection Of Microplastics In Fish And Their Harmful Effects On Human Health

Abstract

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, pose serious environmental and human health risks. These tiny plastics originate from primary sources, such as cosmetics and industrial products, or secondary sources, where larger plastics degrade due to environmental factors. Microplastics are difficult to remove from the environment and are often ingested by marine organisms, leading to ecological and health consequences. Their ingestion can cause injuries, metabolic disruptions, and immune or neurotoxic effects in marine life and humans through the food chain. Detection methods include microscopy (SEM), spectroscopy (FT-IR, ATR), and thermal analysis (TGA, Py-GC-MS). Density separation and filtration techniques help extract microplastics, while tissue digestion methods using chemicals like KOH and H₂O₂ isolate them from biological samples. These pollutants can act as carriers for harmful chemicals and microbes, increasing their toxicity. Human exposure through seafood consumption varies by region, raising concerns about long term health effects, including oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, and inflammation.