Human exposure to microplastics contained in food has become a significant concern owing to the increasing accumulation of microplastics in the environment. In this paper, we summarize the presence of microplastics in food and the analytical methods used for isolation and identification of microplastics. Although a large number of studies on seafood such as fish and shellfish exist, estimating the overall human exposure to microplastics via food consumption is difficult owing to the lack of studies on other food items. Analytical methods still need to be optimized for appropriate recovery of microplastics in various food matrices, rendering a quantitative comparison of different studies challenging. In addition, microplastics could be added or removed from ingredients during processing or cooking. Thus, research on processed food is crucial to estimate the contribution of food to overall human microplastic consumption and to mitigate this exposure in the future.

Playing in playgrounds can increase children's exposure to microplastics (MPs), with levels potentially varying between playground surface materials. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of 5-1000 µm MP contamination and associated children's exposure in urban rubber and sand playgrounds across Korea. MPs of 20-1000 µm were quantified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) at 515 ± 401 and 349 ± 245p g^-1, followed by measurement of 5-20 µm MPs by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) at 0.12 ± 0.05 and 0.08 ± 0.04 mg g^-1 in rubber and sand playgrounds, respectively. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate dominated, with 20-100 µm fragments representing the most abundant size fraction. MP levels in playgrounds were comparable to road dust and were higher than those in beach sand. Screening-level combined ingestion and inhalation exposure to 5-1000 µm MPs was estimated at 2.0 × 10^-3 mg kg^-1 day^-1 in rubber playgrounds and 3.1 × 10^-3 mg kg^-1 day^-1 in sand playgrounds. A significant positive relationship was observed between MP concentrations and sand playground lifespan, while segmented regression analysis identified a potential breakpoint at ∼ 16 years, after which playgrounds showed higher average MP concentrations. These findings highlight playgrounds as potential outdoor exposure pathways for children and emphasize the need for greater attention to urban older sand playgrounds in future research and environmental management strategies.