Unraveling Microplastics: Sources, Environment and Health Impacts, and Detection Techniques

Microplastics (MPs) have become a widespread environmental contaminant, raising concern due to their persistence, capacity to transport pollutants, and potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Their increasing global production, prolonged degra-dation, and ubiquity in aquatic environments underscore the need for improved strategies for monitoring and mitigation. This review examines the definition, sources, environmental transport mechanisms, associated risks, and current detection methods for MPs in natural and engineered water systems. The methods discussed encompass a broad range of analytical and sensing technologies used to identify, characterize, and quantify MPs across diverse environmental matrices. The review highlights that no single technique is sufficient for comprehensive MP analysis; instead, the combination of multiple methods enhances sensitivity, specificity, and reliability. Current findings indicate widespread MP contamination, including within the human body, emphasizing significant ecological and health concerns. Progress in automated sample preparation, standardized protocols, and advanced sensing platforms is key to improving detection efficiency and comparability across different studies. Overall, the evidence presented supports the need for strengthened monitoring, continued technological innovation, and coordinated mitigation policies. Reducing MP pollution will require interdisciplinary collaboration, regulatory action, and increased public awareness to protect environ-mental integrity and human health.