The Challenge Microplastics Pose to Public Health in Georgia: Microplastics as a new challenge

Abstract

 Microplastics (MPs) represent an emerging environmental and public health concern due to their pervasive presence across ecosystems and their potential to accumulate in the human body. This review investigates the various exposure pathways, health effects, and detection methods of MPs, while assessing Georgia’s current response and preparedness. MPs are found in air, water, soil, food, and even human biological samples such as stool, placenta, and lungs. Health risks include oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, immune dysfunction, and reproductive harm, with vulnerable populations—such as pregnant women and infants—being particularly at risk. While international research and regulation are advancing, Georgia lacks comprehensive monitoring systems, public awareness, and national policies addressing MP-related health risks. Detection techniques such as spectroscopy and chromatography are essential tools in understanding the extent of exposure. This study highlights the urgent need for interdisciplinary research, national-level monitoring, and incorporation of MPs into Georgia's environmental and health frameworks.