packaging of milk, detergent, and oil, when trashed, could cause pollution and emit
harmful chemicals. Furthermore, although cheap and therefore easily available, plastics do not decompose easily (Smith et al. 2018). These toxic chemicals, which
include phthalates, bisphenol A, and other by-products or compounds of plastic degradations, may be ingested, or taken up through skin contact. When a plastic particle
is introduced into the atmosphere, there is a possibility that other contaminants may
get attached to the particles and act as carriers because of their large surface areas. To
understand the impacts of plastics, the exposure to plastics and the diverse exposure
pathways that affect human health must be understood (Fig. 2.13). Figure 2.14 shows
the impact of plastic pollution which can cause the pollution of soil, air, and water
and eventually affects human health. The harmful effects of plastics may depend
upon the plastic types and shapes, the sizes such as the macro-, micro-, and
nanoplastics, the degree of hydrophobicity and the source of exposure. Nanoplastics
for example can penetrate the digestive tract, affect the reproductive system, nervous
system and the lung, leading to respiratory diseases or cancer (Isangedighi et al.
2018). The microplastics are not degradable and could remain in the body
until secreted. When penetrating the gastrointestinal tract, microplastics could damage the epithelial human cells, affect the immune system and enhance the inflammation in the gut (Waring et al. 2018). The contamination in aquatic environment
Fig. 2.13 Effect of microplastic and nanoplastic. Plastic due to weathering via mechanical or
photodegradation sediments as well as taken up by aquatic life which will affect human health.
(Reprinted with permission of [Research highlights: impacts of microplastics on plankton, Lin, RSC
publisher] from Lin 2016)
2 Identification and Remediation of Plastics as Water Contaminant
69
harmful chemicals. Furthermore, although cheap and therefore easily available, plastics do not decompose easily (Smith et al. 2018). These toxic chemicals, which
include phthalates, bisphenol A, and other by-products or compounds of plastic degradations, may be ingested, or taken up through skin contact. When a plastic particle
is introduced into the atmosphere, there is a possibility that other contaminants may
get attached to the particles and act as carriers because of their large surface areas. To
understand the impacts of plastics, the exposure to plastics and the diverse exposure
pathways that affect human health must be understood (Fig. 2.13). Figure 2.14 shows
the impact of plastic pollution which can cause the pollution of soil, air, and water
and eventually affects human health. The harmful effects of plastics may depend
upon the plastic types and shapes, the sizes such as the macro-, micro-, and
nanoplastics, the degree of hydrophobicity and the source of exposure. Nanoplastics
for example can penetrate the digestive tract, affect the reproductive system, nervous
system and the lung, leading to respiratory diseases or cancer (Isangedighi et al.
2018). The microplastics are not degradable and could remain in the body
until secreted. When penetrating the gastrointestinal tract, microplastics could damage the epithelial human cells, affect the immune system and enhance the inflammation in the gut (Waring et al. 2018). The contamination in aquatic environment
Fig. 2.13 Effect of microplastic and nanoplastic. Plastic due to weathering via mechanical or
photodegradation sediments as well as taken up by aquatic life which will affect human health.
(Reprinted with permission of [Research highlights: impacts of microplastics on plankton, Lin, RSC
publisher] from Lin 2016)
2 Identification and Remediation of Plastics as Water Contaminant
69