these particles start trickling down the food chain and entering the human body
(Li et al. 2016).
Microplastics, though do not seem to be fatal to the livings organism, could still
cause acute chronic toxicity. The toxic effects of microplastics can be a result of
several mechanisms. Primarily, the toxicity can be caused by the polymeric materials
used in the specific plastic goods. For example, polystyrene, commonly utilized as
protective packaging, can easily circulate in the blood and induce chronic reproductive disorders in the suspension-feeding animals in the marine water. Microplastics
can cause allergy and itchiness due to their tiny sizes with possibly the pointed ends
as these materials penetrate into the body tissues. The intake may cause
malnourishment and reproductive disruption (Sun et al. 2019). Microplastics are
obtained from two different sources: primary and secondary sources. Primary
microplastics are synthesized by industrial processes directly, while secondary
microplastics are produced from primary microplastics by degradation under the
extreme environment of moisture and heat (Li et al. 2016).
Primary Microplastics
This type of microplastic is manufactured on an industrial scale as microbeads of
various sizes and shapes. They are mainly used in toiletries and commonly as
“exfoliates” in sandblasting media, or as the “plastics pellets” or the raw materials
for the manufacturing of these products. These pellets enter and pollute the ecosystem via industrial leakage, transportation, or during utilization. As illustrated in
Fig. 2.5, there are different types of chemical structures present in the plastic wastes.
Plastic resins are utilized mostly in the packaging, with short life span and found
extensively as a part of litters or municipal solid wastes. The major types of
thermoplastics that are commonly present in the microplastics are polyethylene,
Fig. 2.5 Different types of structures present in the industrial plastic wastes. Carbon provides the
backbone to nearly all plastic polymers (Modified from Vanapalli et al. 2019).
54
Z. Tahir et al.
(Li et al. 2016).
Microplastics, though do not seem to be fatal to the livings organism, could still
cause acute chronic toxicity. The toxic effects of microplastics can be a result of
several mechanisms. Primarily, the toxicity can be caused by the polymeric materials
used in the specific plastic goods. For example, polystyrene, commonly utilized as
protective packaging, can easily circulate in the blood and induce chronic reproductive disorders in the suspension-feeding animals in the marine water. Microplastics
can cause allergy and itchiness due to their tiny sizes with possibly the pointed ends
as these materials penetrate into the body tissues. The intake may cause
malnourishment and reproductive disruption (Sun et al. 2019). Microplastics are
obtained from two different sources: primary and secondary sources. Primary
microplastics are synthesized by industrial processes directly, while secondary
microplastics are produced from primary microplastics by degradation under the
extreme environment of moisture and heat (Li et al. 2016).
Primary Microplastics
This type of microplastic is manufactured on an industrial scale as microbeads of
various sizes and shapes. They are mainly used in toiletries and commonly as
“exfoliates” in sandblasting media, or as the “plastics pellets” or the raw materials
for the manufacturing of these products. These pellets enter and pollute the ecosystem via industrial leakage, transportation, or during utilization. As illustrated in
Fig. 2.5, there are different types of chemical structures present in the plastic wastes.
Plastic resins are utilized mostly in the packaging, with short life span and found
extensively as a part of litters or municipal solid wastes. The major types of
thermoplastics that are commonly present in the microplastics are polyethylene,
Fig. 2.5 Different types of structures present in the industrial plastic wastes. Carbon provides the
backbone to nearly all plastic polymers (Modified from Vanapalli et al. 2019).
54
Z. Tahir et al.