Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{184184,
        author = {Srishty Nalwa and Anubhav Agarwal and Arju Ahlawat},
        title = {The Influence of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Marine Ecosystems and Human Health: Pathways, Mechanisms, and Policy Implications},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {560-565},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184184},
        abstract = {Plastics in the environment degrade into microplastics (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 µm), which are now recognized as pervasive contaminants in marine ecosystems and human tissues. This paper synthesizes recent findings on their sources, pathways, and biological impacts. In marine systems, micro- and nanoplastics disrupt microbial and phytoplankton communities, impair feeding and reproduction in invertebrates and fish, and facilitate trophic transfer, ultimately threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services such as fisheries and nutrient cycling. For humans, exposure occurs through seafood, drinking water, and airborne fibers. Biomonitoring studies have detected particles in the placenta, cord blood, and arterial plaques, raising concerns about systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and gut microbiome dysbiosis. Observational evidence, including a 2024 clinical study, links microplastic presence in arteries to increased cardiovascular risk, although methodological variability and limited sample sizes constrain certainty. Policy frameworks are emerging, but standardized detection methods, long-term cohort studies, and nanoplastic-focused research remain critical gaps. Precautionary measures to reduce exposure and upstream interventions to curb plastic production are urgent to safeguard both ecosystem integrity and public health. This review highlights the pressing need for interdisciplinary approaches integrating toxicology, ecology, epidemiology, and policy to address the global challenge posed by micro- and nanoplastics.},
        keywords = {microplastics; nanoplastics; marine ecosystems; trophic transfer; cardiovascular risk; placenta; gut microbiome; dysbiosis; exposure assessment},
        month = {September},
        }