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

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

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

DOI 10.1126/science.adl2746

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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.

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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.
ORCID: Thompson, Richard C.
Courtene-Jones, Winnie
Boucher, Julien
Pahl, Sabine
Raubenheimer, Karen
Koelmans, Albert A.
Venue: Science
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published: 2024-10-25
Volume: 386
Issue: 6720
Pages: eadl2746-eadl2746
ISSN: 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
1095-9203
DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2746
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: green
research.wur.nl
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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