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Review article

Microplastic and human health with focus on pediatric well-being: a comprehensive review and call for future studies

Rogers Wainkwa Chia^1,2  , Venant Atem Ntegang¹  , Jin-Yong Lee^1,3  , Jihye Cha^1,3 

¹Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
²Research Institute for Earth Resources, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
³Research on Microplastics in Groundwater (RMPG), Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea

Correspondence Jin-Yong Lee ,Email: hydrolee@kangwon.ac.kr

Received: December 21, 2023; Revised: June 24, 2024   Accepted: June 24, 2024.

Abstract

Although humans are highly dependent on plastics from infancy to adolescence, these materials can degrade into ubiquitous microplastics (MPs) that affect individuals at every stage of life. However, information on the sources, mechanisms, detection techniques, and detrimental effects of MPs on children’s health from infancy to adolescence is limited. Hence, here we identified and reviewed original research papers published in 2017–2023 across 11 database categories in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science to improve our understanding of MPs with a focus on pediatric well-being. These studies found that milk and infant formulas are common sources of MP exposure in infants. Infant formula is the dominant source of MPs in babies, while plastic toys are a common source of MPs in toddlers. Adolescents are frequently exposed to MPs through the consumption of food contaminated with MPs and the use of plastics in food packaging. Water and air are sources of MP exposure in children from infancy through adolescence. This study thoroughly summarized how MP exposure in children of all ages causes cell damage and leads to adverse health effects such as cancer. With appropriate authorization from the relevant authorities, small amounts of human biological samples (10 g of feces) were collected from volunteers to assess the amounts of MPs in children with the aim of promoting pediatric well-being. The samples were then treated with Fenton's reagent, stored in glass jars, and filtered through nonplastic filters. Finally, MPs in children were quantified using stereomicroscopy and characterized using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Keywords :FTIR, Human biological sample, Microplastic, Breast milk, Pediatric well-being