The Effect of Microplastics and Its Impact on Human Health: Mapping India’s Research Footprint

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size and have been identified as a major global concern because of their persistence and potential risks for human health. This study aimed to conduct a scientometric analysis of the global research on MPs with special referenceto India. Results indicated that most of the significant funding support was providedby the Department of Science and Technology (DST), University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).The keywords mostlyused in the research studies were microplastics, human health, toxicity and heavy metals. However, the emerging themes were artificial intelligence, pharmacokinetics, and biomedical applications. The collaboration mapping of Institutions revealed IITs, CSIR labs, Banaras Hindu University and Cochin University of Science and Technology as the leading contributors in this research domain. The journals most opted by the authors for their publications were Science of the Total Environment, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, and Environmental Research. The findings reveal that Indian research on MPs is multidisciplinary and increasingly integrated with global efforts.