TY - JOUR

T1 - Twenty years of microplastic pollution research-what have we learned?

AU - Thompson, Richard C

AU - Courtene-Jones, Winnie

AU - Boucher, Julien

AU - Pahl, Sabine

AU - Raubenheimer, Karen

AU - Koelmans, Albert A

PY - 2024/10/25

Y1 - 2024/10/25

N2 - Twenty years after the first publication using the term microplastics, we review current understanding, refine definitions and consider future prospects. Microplastics arise from multiple sources including tires, textiles, cosmetics, paint and the fragmentation of larger items. They are widely distributed throughout the natural environment with evidence of harm at multiple levels of biological organization. They are pervasive in food and drink and have been detected throughout the human body, with emerging evidence of negative effects. Environmental contamination could double by 2040 and widescale harm has been predicted. Public concern is increasing and diverse measures to address microplastics pollution are being considered in international negotiations. Clear evidence on the efficacy of potential solutions is now needed to address the issue and to minimize the risks of unintended consequences.

AB - Twenty years after the first publication using the term microplastics, we review current understanding, refine definitions and consider future prospects. Microplastics arise from multiple sources including tires, textiles, cosmetics, paint and the fragmentation of larger items. They are widely distributed throughout the natural environment with evidence of harm at multiple levels of biological organization. They are pervasive in food and drink and have been detected throughout the human body, with emerging evidence of negative effects. Environmental contamination could double by 2040 and widescale harm has been predicted. Public concern is increasing and diverse measures to address microplastics pollution are being considered in international negotiations. Clear evidence on the efficacy of potential solutions is now needed to address the issue and to minimize the risks of unintended consequences.

U2 - 10.1126/science.adl2746

DO - 10.1126/science.adl2746

M3 - Review article

C2 - 39298564

VL - 386

SP - eadl2746

JO - Science

JF - Science

SN - 0036-8075

IS - 6720

ER -