Microplastic Pollution: Health Risks and Sustainable Solutions

Abstract

Plastic materials widely used in daily life cause serious pollution in marine ecosystems. Microplastics, which are formed when plastic wastes are released into the environment, have negative effects especially in oceans and seas. The transfer of microplastics into the human body through water sources, food and aquatic organisms occurs through skin contact and oral route, but the health effects of this transfer are not fully understood. Inhalation of microplastics can only occur with the passage of atmospheric microplastics into the human body. Studies have demonstrated the presence of microplastics in water sources and aquatic organisms and have shown that microplastics may also be present in foodstuffs. In this review, the formation of microplastics, their transfer to humans and their effects on the environment and human health are examined and the importance of sustainable fishing methods in combating plastic pollution is emphasized.

Keywords

• Microplastics
• Marine Ecosystem
• Health
• Sustainable Fisheries

Mikroplastik Kirliliği: Sağlık Riskleri ve Sürdürülebilir Çözüm Önerileri

Abstract

Günlük hayatta yaygın olarak kullanılan plastik malzemeler deniz ekosistemlerinde ciddi bir kirliliğe neden olmaktadır. Plastik atıkların çevreye bırakılmasıyla oluşan mikroplastikler özellikle okyanus ve denizlerde olumsuz etkiler yaratmaktadır. Mikroplastiklerin su kaynakları, gıdalar ve suda yaşayan canlılar aracılığıyla insan vücuduna geçişi cilt teması ve oral yolla gerçekleşmektedir. Ancak bu geçişin sağlık üzerindeki etkileri tam olarak anlaşılamamıştır. Mikroplastiklerin solunum yoluyla alımı ise sadece atmosferik mikroplastiklerin insan vücuduna geçişi ile olabilmektedir. Yapılan çalışmalar su kaynaklarında ve suda yaşayan canlılarda mikroplastik varlığını ortaya koymuş ve gıda maddelerinde de mikroplastik bulunabileceğini göstermiştir. Bu derlemede mikroplastiklerin oluşumu, insanlara geçişi ve çevre ile insan sağlığı üzerindeki etkileri incelenerek plastik kirliliğiyle mücadelede sürdürülebilir balıkçılık yöntemlerinin önemi vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Mikroplastikler
• Deniz Ekosistemi
• Sağlık
• Sürdürülebilir Balıkçılık

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