Environmental exposure pathways of microplastics and their toxic effects on ecosystems and nervous systems

Lu Kuo^1*Que Yixiang²Longfei Wang¹Wang Yanfan²Qiu Jinyan³Jia Yangyang¹Cong Ding¹Dazhong Wang¹Weyland Cheng¹Yaodong Zhang¹

• ¹Henan International Joint Laboratory of Children's Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
• ²Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University，Zhengzhou University,, Henan, China
• ³Guangzhou Conghua District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, guangzhou, China

Microplastics are a troubling consequence of modern civilization, permeating through ecosystems worldwide and posing as a risk to the environment and human health. As studies have uncovered their extensive distribution throughout bodies of water, soil, and the atmosphere, the ecological crisis and health issues linked to microplastics have become a significant concern within the global scientific community. These tiny particles can enter the human body through various routes, including ingestion, inhalation, and even skin contact, and they have been shown to cross critical barriers such as the placental and blood-brain barriers. Their accumulation in the food chain disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems and may impair cognitive function and behavioral patterns in living organisms. Alarmingly, there is increasing evidence suggesting that microscopic may contribute to the rising rates of neurodegenerative diseases. This paper reviews the pathways through which microplastics are ingested, their effects on biological functions, and the potential mechanisms that contribute to their neurotoxicity. We emphasize the urgent need for further research to elucidate the toxicological impacts of microplastics and to devise effective strategies for mitigating their effects on both ecosystems and human health.