Microplastics, environment and child health

Microplastics in the marine environment.

This review discusses the mechanisms of generation and potential impacts of microplastics in the ocean environment. Weathering degradation of plastics on the beaches results in their surface embrittlement and microcracking, yielding microparticles that are carried into water by wind or wave action. Unlike inorganic fines present in sea water, microplastics concentrate persistent organic polluta...

Microplastics Pollution in the Aquatic Environment: Problems and Challenges

Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review.

Since the mass production of plastics began in the 1940s, microplastic contamination of the marine environment has been a growing problem. Here, a review of the literature has been conducted with the following objectives: (1) to summarise the properties, nomenclature and sources of microplastics; (2) to discuss the routes by which microplastics enter the marine environment; (3) to evaluate the ...

Birth outcome, the social environment and child health.

OBJECTIVES This article examines the effects of birth outcome and selected social environmental factors on the health of young children. DATA SOURCE The data are from the 1994/95 National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. Information provided by the biological mothers of 5,888 children younger than age 3 is analyzed. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES The analysis focuses on two measures of chi...

Child health and the environment: the INMA Spanish Study.

The INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente [Environment and Childhood]) is a population-based cohort study in different Spanish cities, that focuses on prenatal environmental exposures and growth, development and health from early fetal life until childhood. The study focuses on five primary areas of research: (1) growth and physical development; (2) behavioural and cognitive development; (3) asthma a...