The “Plastic Age”: From Endocrine Disruptors to Microplastics – An Emerging Threat to Pollinators

Abstract

Currently, human beings live in a new era, known as the “Plastic Age.” Throughout the history of plastics, two significant potential hazards to human health have been identified. Firstly, the endocrine-disrupting capability of monomers used in plastic synthesis has been under scrutiny. Secondly, in recent years, the potential dangers of nano- and microplastics released from the polymers themselves have begun to gain visibility, with their abundance and health consequences still under study. Consequently, this chapter begins with an analysis of xenobiotic compounds and endocrine disruptors. Subsequently, this chapter emphasizes the concept of microplastics, as their limited number of publications contrasts with their ubiquitous global distribution and potential harmful effects. Their presence across terrestrial ecosystems raises concerns about the possible impacts on pollinator health as these animals are crucial for maintaining agricultural production and plant biodiversity. The quantification of these particles in honey, beeswax, or the pollinators themselves could enable the assessment of the environmental impact of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems, together with other pollutants that endanger these species. Nevertheless, more research is needed to evaluate the potential threat of microplastics and potential synergies among microplastics and other pollutants found in nature as a consequence of anthropogenic activities.