From Pollution to Pathogens: Plastic Waste as an Emerging Biological Risk in Low-Resource Settings
1
Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
2
Clinical Services Department, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Benin City, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Plastic pollution is increasing globally and creates biological exposure pathways in low-resource settings. Evidence shows microplastics and nanoplastics can sorb chemical contaminants and host microbial communities, enabling chemical and infectious hazards under a One Health framework¹. This review synthesizes current evidence on plastic-associated biological risks in LMICs and identifies priorities for public health action.
METHODS:
A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature published from 2010–2025 was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and African open-access journals. Search terms combined microplastics, nanoplastics, plastic pollution, biological risk, LMICs and One Health. Studies reporting environmental occurrence, exposure pathways, chemical or microbial carriage, ecotoxicological or human health outcomes and governance responses were included. Eligible data were synthesized narratively with emphasis on mechanisms of harm and relevance to low-resource contexts.
RESULTS:
Studies from LMICs document microplastic contamination in surface water, groundwater, sediment, soil and biota, with trophic transfer into food chains¹˒²˒⁵. Evidence demonstrates that plastics can concentrate heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms³˒⁶. Mechanistic and experimental data indicate oxidative stress, endocrine perturbation, microbiome disruption and immunological effects, while robust epidemiological evidence in humans remains limited³˒⁶. In LMICs, limited surveillance, variable detection methods and weak regulatory frameworks intensify exposure risks and hinder mitigation²˒⁴.
CONCLUSIONS:
Plastic waste represents an emerging biological threat in low-resource settings. Priority actions include standardized environmental and food surveillance, biomonitoring and epidemiological studies in vulnerable populations, integration of plastic exposure into One Health risk assessments and strengthening waste governance and regulatory systems. Recognizing plastic pollution as a biological risk is essential to protect human, animal and ecosystem health in LMICs.
Plastic pollution is increasing globally and creates biological exposure pathways in low-resource settings. Evidence shows microplastics and nanoplastics can sorb chemical contaminants and host microbial communities, enabling chemical and infectious hazards under a One Health framework¹. This review synthesizes current evidence on plastic-associated biological risks in LMICs and identifies priorities for public health action.
METHODS:
A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature published from 2010–2025 was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and African open-access journals. Search terms combined microplastics, nanoplastics, plastic pollution, biological risk, LMICs and One Health. Studies reporting environmental occurrence, exposure pathways, chemical or microbial carriage, ecotoxicological or human health outcomes and governance responses were included. Eligible data were synthesized narratively with emphasis on mechanisms of harm and relevance to low-resource contexts.
RESULTS:
Studies from LMICs document microplastic contamination in surface water, groundwater, sediment, soil and biota, with trophic transfer into food chains¹˒²˒⁵. Evidence demonstrates that plastics can concentrate heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms³˒⁶. Mechanistic and experimental data indicate oxidative stress, endocrine perturbation, microbiome disruption and immunological effects, while robust epidemiological evidence in humans remains limited³˒⁶. In LMICs, limited surveillance, variable detection methods and weak regulatory frameworks intensify exposure risks and hinder mitigation²˒⁴.
CONCLUSIONS:
Plastic waste represents an emerging biological threat in low-resource settings. Priority actions include standardized environmental and food surveillance, biomonitoring and epidemiological studies in vulnerable populations, integration of plastic exposure into One Health risk assessments and strengthening waste governance and regulatory systems. Recognizing plastic pollution as a biological risk is essential to protect human, animal and ecosystem health in LMICs.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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