UNAIR NEWS – Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a growing global concern, both environmentally and in terms of public health. This issue was at the forefront of the inaugural address delivered by Prof. Dr. Lilis Sulistyorini, Ir., M.Kes during her inauguration as a professor at Universitas Airlangga on Thursday (April 24, 2025). Prof. Sulistyorini was formally inaugurated as a Professor of Environmental Pollution and Health at Faculty of Public Health (FKM), UNAIR.
In her scientific oration titled Microplastic Pollution Control: Safeguarding Environment and Human Health, Prof. Sulistyorini underscored the pervasive presence of microplastics in key ecosystems—air, sea, and land—and their increasingly measurable and serious effects on human health.
“Microplastics are no longer just invisible waste. These particles have now been found within the human body—including the digestive tract, lungs, and even the placenta. Their health risks are not hypothetical—they are real and quantifiable,” she stated.
Multi-ecosystem threat
In the atmospheric ecosystem, microplastics are transported by wind, deposited in remote regions, and can be inhaled by humans. Atmospheric modeling suggests these particles carry toxic chemical compounds, enrich antibiotic-resistant genes, and may even influence cloud formation and global precipitation patterns.
In marine ecosystems, MPs accumulate in aquatic organisms through processes such as bioaccumulation and biomagnification. “Microplastic fibers are the most prevalent form found along coastlines. This endangers fish populations and poses a threat to the safety of our seafood,” she explained.
On land, MPs alter the physical and chemical properties of soil, reduce fertility, and disrupt agricultural productivity. “Research has shown that microplastics damage soil structure and degrade overall environmental quality,” she continued.
Humans can be exposed to microplastics via three primary pathways: inhalation (breathing), ingestion (eating or drinking), and dermal contact (skin exposure). Studies have detected microplastic particles in human blood, lungs, placenta, and other tissues, with an average particle size of 14 micrometers.
Health risks linked to MP exposure include pulmonary inflammation, reproductive disorders, metabolic diseases, reduced oocyte quality, and even carcinogenic potential. Chronic exposure can also impair mental health in urban populations due to worsening air quality. “Microplastic pollution is not merely an ecological issue—it is a public health crisis that demands urgent attention,” Prof. Sulistyorini asserted.
Control and mitigation efforts
To address microplastic pollution, Prof. Sulistyorini called for collective action encompassing policy reform, public education, and technological innovation. Proposed solutions include banning single-use plastics, advancing bioplastic alternatives, promoting recycling, and implementing efficient waste-sorting systems.
She also emphasized the necessity of collaboration among academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. “We need innovation in waste management systems and widespread environmental literacy campaigns to build public awareness,” she concluded.
Author: Sintya Alfafa
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
