Microplastics are discharged into the environment through human activities and are persistent in the environment. With the prevalent use of plastic-based personal protective equipment in the prevention of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the concentration of microplastics in the environment is envisaged to increase. Potential ecological and health risks emanate from their potential to adsorb and transport toxic chemicals, and ease of absorption into the cells of living organisms and interfering with physiological processes. This review (1) discusses sources and pathways through which microplastics enter the environment, (2) evaluates the fate and behavior of microplastics, (3) discusses microplastics in African aquatic systems, and (4) identifies research gaps and recommends remediation strategies. Importantly, while there is significant microplastics pollution in the aquatic environment, pollution in terrestrial systems are not widely studied. Besides, there is a dearth of information on microplastics in African aquatic systems. The paper recommends that the governments and non-governmental organizations should fund research to address knowledge gaps, which include: (1) the environmental fate of microplastics, (2) conducting toxicological studies under environmentally relevant conditions, (3) investigating toxicity mechanisms to biota, and developing mitigation measures to safeguard human health, and (4) investigating pollutants transported by microplastics. Moreover, regulatory measures, along with the circular economy strategies, may help reduce microplastic pollution.

Proximate Composition, Selected Mineral, Physical Characteristics and in vitro Multienzyme Digestibility of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Fruit from Nigeria

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of indoor particulate matter (PM) concentrations, focusing on PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ in five primary health centers (PHCs): Arakale (Urban), the Federal College of Agriculture (FECA) (Urban), Iju (semi-urban), Oba-Ile (semi-urban), and Owode (Rural) within Akure local government areas in Nigeria. The primary novelty of this research lies in its detailed exploration of the toxicity potential of these PM fractions, providing valuable insights into the local air quality and associated health risks. This study assesses the health implications by calculating the toxicity potential (TP), relative risk (RR), excess risk (ER), and attributable fractions (Afs) for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality. The results reveal varying RR values for all-cause mortality, with Arakale showing a slight elevation (RR: 1.061), indicating potential health risks. ER values for cardiopulmonary mortality range from 14.728 ± 7.25 to 19.04 ± 0.38, emphasizing the substantial excess risk associated with long-term PM_2.5 exposure. The study also uncovers Afs for cardiopulmonary mortality ranging between 11.03 ± 0.31 and 19.22 ± 0.04, underscoring the significant contribution of PM to cardiovascular and respiratory health risks. Similarly, Afs for lung cancer mortality range from 10.03 ± 0.012 to 17.13 ± 0.10, highlighting the substantial association between PM_2.5 exposure and lung cancer risk. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted air quality management strategies and public health interventions in the studied locations to mitigate the heightened health risks associated with particulate matter pollution. The calculated RR, ER, and AF values offer crucial insights into the complex relationship between PM exposure and adverse health outcomes, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and future research endeavors.