Microplastics: origin, diffusion and effects

Abstract

Environmental pollution by microplastics is becoming a major issue also for human health as a consequence of their ubiquitary diffusion even through the trophic chains. Their impact is thought to increase as the world wide plastics production and consumption are still increasing at an exponential rate. Here the classification and source of microplastics, as derived by different polymeric materials, are considered with respect to their formation from large plastic debris as a consequence of environmental degradation processes, as well as to their impact as emerging pollutant.