Cited by 1,521Microplastics and Plastic PollutionPharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Twenty years of microplastic pollution research—what have we learned?

Open access
Thompson, Richard C., Courtene-Jones, Winnie, Boucher, Julien, Pahl, Sabine, Raubenheimer, Karen, Koelmans, Albert A.·2024·Science

Abstract

Twenty years after the first publication that used the term microplastic, 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 wide-scale harm has been predicted. Public concern is increasing, and diverse measures to address microplastic 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.

Integrity signals

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.adl2746

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145 of 145 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Thompson, R. C., Courtene-Jones, W., Boucher, J., Pahl, S., Raubenheimer, K., & Koelmans, A. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Plymouth (GB)
  • School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
  • EA–Earth Action, CH 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • University of Vienna (AT)
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Corresponding author
Thompson, Richard C.
Venue
Science
Published
2024-10-25
Volume
386
Issue
6720
Pages
eadl2746-eadl2746
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W4402625926
Cited by
1,521
References
145
Citations by year
2026: 829 · 2025: 647 · 2024: 45
FWCI
39.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (submittedVersion)
  • PEARL (University of Plymouth) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Natural Environment Research Council (NE/V00185X/1, NE/V007556/1, NE/S003967/1)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Keywords
microplastics, microplastic pollution, microplastic sources, microplastic fragmentation, microplastic toxicity, human exposure to microplastics, plastic pollution mitigation
MeSH terms
Microplastics, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollution, Humans

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