Emerging Environmental Contaminants in Food Systems and Human Health Risks

Abstract

This study evaluates the presence and health risks of emerging environmental contaminants in food systems, with a focus on microplastics, PFAS, and their transfer through the food chain. Using a qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this study synthesizes recent research to examine how these contaminants enter environmental media and are subsequently incorporated into food systems. The findings indicate that microplastics and PFAS are widely distributed and persist in soil, water, and biological organisms, enabling their transfer across trophic levels and leading to human exposure through dietary intake. Key processes such as bioaccumulation and biomagnification contribute to increased contaminant concentrations within food chains. At the biological level, these substances are associated with mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption, which may result in long-term health risks. This study highlights the need for integrated risk assessment approaches that consider environmental pathways and cumulative exposure