A review on enhanced microplastics derived from biomedical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic with its toxicity, health risks, and biomarkers

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-01, Vol.216 (Pt 1), p.114434, Article 114434
• Main Authors: Masud, Rony Ibne, Suman, Kamrul Hassan, Tasnim, Shadia, Begum, Most Shirina, Sikder, Mahmudul Hasan, Uddin, Md Jamal, Haque, Md Niamul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioaccumulation; Biomarkers; Biomedical waste; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Environmental Monitoring; Human health; Humans; Microplastics; Microplastics - toxicity; Pandemics; Plastics - toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114434

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the explosion of biomedical waste, a global challenge to public health and the environment. Biomedical waste comprising plastic can convert into microplastics (MPs, < 5 mm) by sunlight, wave, oxidative and thermal processes, and biodegradation. MPs with additives and contaminants such as metals are also hazardous to many aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including humans. Bioaccumulation of MPs in organisms often transfers across the trophic level in the global food web. Thus, this article aims to provide a literature review on the source, quantity, and fate of biomedical waste, along with the recent surge of MPs and their adverse impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. MPs intake (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact) in humans causing various chronic diseases involving multiple organs in digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems are surveyed, which have been reviewed barely. There is an urgent need to control and manage biomedical waste to shrink MPs pollution for reducing environmental and human health risks. [Display omitted] •An explosion of biomedical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic is a growing environmental challenge.•Biomedical waste made of plastics is escalating currently available microplastic (MPs; < 5 mm) pollution.•Biomedical waste and MPs pose an immense threat to public health.•Developed biomedical waste management practices and efficient biomarkers for assessing MPs toxicity are critical.