Microplastics in human body: accumulation, natural clearance, and biomedical detoxification strategies

Abstract

Microplastics have become ubiquitous in modern environments, entering the human body through multiple pathways, including air, water, and food. Recent evidence shows that microplastics penetrate deep into the human body and accumulate in tissues. Despite escalating exposure to microplastics and growing concerns about potential toxicity, strategies for microplastic clearance from the body have yet to be explored. This review summarizes current knowledge on exposure pathways, distribution, accumulation mechanisms, and health risks of microplastics and critically evaluates natural clearance mechanisms in human and their limitations. Further, we investigate potential biomedical strategies for microplastic clearance and detoxification and synthesize considerations for clinical translation.