Plastic pollution is a globally recognized problem and reached 322 million metric tons in 2016, excluding plastic fiber production. During the same period, approximately 100 million metric tons of textile fibers were produced . Over 60 % of this production corresponds to plastic fibers. The rest corresponds to cellulosic (6%) and natural fibers (27%). MPs pollution is a global problem being detected everywhere : marine environment- China and Southeast Asian countries are responsible for most of the plastics that end up in the ocean-, wastewaters , surface waters, soils, sediments , food and air .

MPs can also absorb organic contaminants, mainly persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can be ingested by organisms and introduced into the food web. MPs can sorb as well pathogens and airborne fibrous MPs may enter our respiratory system. Exposure experiments on mammals like mice were reported indicating damage to the liver functions. But one of the key remaining questions are still toxicological effects of MPs/NPs to freshwater and marine biota samples as well as to terrestrial organisms. An increasing number of papers are being published during the last years related to the effects of MPs as well as with synergistic effects when associated with micropollutants. This Special issue on MPs will provide state-of-the art information on occurrence, fate and toxicity of MPs in the total environment.

Regards

Jun Ray

Assistant Mnaging Editor

Environmental Toxicology and Studies Journal