Chemicals and Drugs

Microplastics

Plastic particles, less than 5 millimeters in diameter, that are generated from the degradation of larger pieces or are manufactured to be microstructures or smaller.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Plastic particles, less than 5 millimeters in diameter, that are generated from the degradation of larger pieces or are manufactured to be microstructures or smaller.

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Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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See Also

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Synonyms

11 entry terms
  • Plastic Microparticles
  • Microparticle, Plastic
  • Microparticles, Plastic
  • Microplastic
  • Plastic Microparticle
  • Mesoplastics
  • Plastic Nanoparticles
  • Mesoplastic
  • Nanoparticle, Plastic
  • Nanoparticles, Plastic
  • Plastic Nanoparticle

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

16 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, analysis, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, toxicity.

MeSH Record

History Note

2020

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Plastics (2006-2019)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Microplastics. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000080545. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000080545
  2. Microplastics. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microplastics
  3. Microplastics. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6839919