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Plastic and Human Health: A Micro Issue?
Abstract
Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern. Their presence in food destined for human consumption and in air samples has been reported. Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the human health effects of which are unknown. The current review article draws upon cross-disciplinary scientific literature to discuss and evaluate the potential human health impacts of microplastics and outlines urgent areas for future research. Key literature up to September 2016 relating to bioaccumulation, particle toxicity, and chemical and microbial contaminants were critically examined. Whilst this is an emerging field, complimentary existing fields indicate potential particle, chemical and microbial hazards. If inhaled or ingested, microplastics may bioaccumulate and exert localised particle toxicity by inducing or enhancing an immune response. Chemical toxicity could occur due to the localised leaching of component monomers, endogenous additives, and adsorbed environmental pollutants. Chronic exposure is anticipated to be of greater concern due to the accumulative effect which could occur. This is expected to be dose-dependent, and a robust evidence-base of exposure levels is currently lacking. Whilst there is potential for microplastics to impact human health, assessing current exposure levels and burdens is key. This information will guide future research into the potential mechanisms of toxicity and hence therein possible health effects.
... MPs enter the human body primarily through ingestion, inhalation, and transdermal absorption, with recent studies detecting their presence in vital organs such as the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and even placental tissues [10,11]. They have infiltrated nearly every tier of the food chain, from bottled water to seafood, indicating that humans are probably consuming them often. ...
... When they enter the respiratory organs, the lungs' fluid will likely catch these fibrous particles. However, some of these might cross the lung's natural barricade mechanisms [1,10,58]. ...
... Antioxidant defense in response to MP exposure plays a critical role. To counter the oxidative stress induced by MPs, antioxidant enzymes, like catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), are upregulated by cells of aquatic organisms [10]. Similarly, the immune system could adapt to MP exposure to modulate inflammation. ...
This review article aims to highlight the potential harm caused by microplastics (MPs) in different organs and systems and underscore the need for further investigation into their action mechanisms. MPs, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene, significantly impact human health, causing inflammation in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, compromising immune function, and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and neurotoxicity. These effects are largely attributed to the role of MPs in disrupting hormonal regulation, which can lead to reproductive disorders and an elevated risk of cancer. These microscopic particles (less than 5 mm in size) are now ubiquitous in air, water, and food. However, much of the existing research on MPs focuses on their mechanisms of action and their association with health and disease, with limited emphasis on their direct impact on humans or long-term consequences. To effectively address plastic toxicity, it is crucial to understand the policy implications of MPs and their relevance to disease development. Recent research has highlighted the need for more stringent regulatory oversight of these materials to better understand and mitigate their impact on human health.
... Microplastics have garnered increasing attention within the scientific community due to their environmental impacts and potential health risks to humans (Huang et al., 2020). Once ingested, microplastics can cause physical damage, interfere with feeding behavior, and affect physiological processes such as reproduction and growth in aquatic species (Wright and Kelly, 2017). Moreover, emerging evidence suggests possible implications for human health, as microplastics have been detected in drinking water, food products, and even human tissues, underscoring the urgent need for further research on their long-term impacts. ...
... Moreover, emerging evidence suggests possible implications for human health, as microplastics have been detected in drinking water, food products, and even human tissues, underscoring the urgent need for further research on their long-term impacts. These pollutants are scavenged in the environment with a lot of difficulty and are exposed to that area for quite some time, which poses a threat to wildlife and human health (Wright and Kelly, 2017), the consequences of which are due to adsorption, which can subsequently cause lethal toxic effects to individuals (Caixeta et al., 2018;Oliveira et al., 2020). ...
Microplastics are one of the most widespread problems that have drawn serious attention from researchers, policymakers and the public due to the potential ecological, environmental and human health implications. The objective was to verify the relationships between urbanization areas and microplastic contamination in selected freshwater locations. We estimate microplastic densities using a range of statistical analyses, including linear regression and distribution comparisons, considering two important factors: the distance from an urban center and the specific characteristics of the sites’ (e.g., spring, intermediate, mouth) the urban and rural contexts. Our findings indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between the effects of proximity to urban centers to microplastic density in the freshwater environments. In other words, the density of microplastics tends to increase with decreasing distances to urban areas, showing higher concentrations compared to rural sites. The influence of some specific environmental characteristics (water quality and biodiversity in general) is based on the accumulation of microplastics suggesting a complex interaction of anthropogenic activities and natural features. This, therefore, calls for local mitigation measures and changes in the ways waste is handled, especially in urban areas, put in place systematically to mitigate the underlying causes of microplastic pollution. Finally, our research underscores the importance of urban areas in microplastic pollution studies and the necessity of interventions to reduce plastic consumption and improve waste management practices. As part of this research on the issue of microplastic pollution, a future policy that supports the reduction of contamination by these pollutants in freshwater ecosystems is essential. Keywords: density of microplastics, urban water, wetland.
... Plastic is widely used in industry and daily life due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, light weight, durability, convenience, and low cost [1][2]. However, a large amount of improperly disposed plastic waste enters the marine environment through littering, sewage, runoff, and illegal dumping, making plastic pollution a global environmental problem [3][4]. Aquaculture, as an important field for the use of plastic products, consumes a large amount of plastic farming gear (such as floats, nets, etc.) every year [5]. ...
Plastic has become an indispensable material in modern industry and daily life due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, such as corrosion resistance, lightweight, durability, and low cost. Plastic farming gear is widely used in aquaculture. Oysters will adhere to farming gear. In this study, plastic farming gear with oyster attachment was collected in Shandong coastal area: black floating ball, colored transparent floating ball and foam floating ball. Compare the number and tightness of oyster attachment on three types of farming gear, and analyze the reasons for the differences in attachment from three aspects: surface roughness, polymer type, and aquaculture scenarios. The results showed that the black floats had the largest number of oysters attached to them and the longest oyster shells. This may be because the black float had a rough surface and a hard texture, and was mainly used in oyster farming areas. However, colored transparent floating balls and foam floating balls were light, easy to float with the waves, and could not provide stable attachment conditions for oysters. This study provides useful information on the interaction between plastic farming gear and bivalves.
... MPs have also been associated with altered thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, leading to thyroid dysfunction (Bereketoglu and Pradhan 2022). Research indicates that MPs can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitarythyroid (HPT) axis, which regulates thyroid homeostasis (Wright and Kelly 2017;Lopez et al. 2023). Prolonged exposure may result in thyroid dysfunction by affecting hormone synthesis and overall endocrine health. ...
Background
Polystyrene microplastics (PS‐MPs) are pervasive pollutants impacting animals across ecosystems, including livestock and wildlife, through contaminated food, water, and air. MPs may disrupt endocrine function, particularly affecting the thyroid gland, which is essential for metabolism and development.
Objectives
This study investigates the effects of PS‐MPs on thyroid function in mice, offering insights relevant to veterinary care by examining changes in gene expression and biochemical markers.
Methods
PS‐MPs of 5 µm diameter were prepared in distilled water after probe sonication. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were divided into three groups: a control group and two treatment groups receiving 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg PS‐MPs via oral gavage for 28 days. Mice were anesthetised, and thyroid tissues were collected for histopathological, biochemical, and gene expression analyses. Biochemical tests included catalase, superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and hormone levels. Histopathology and gene expression (TSHR and TPO) of thyroid‐related genes were examined to assess PS‐MPs induced effects.
Results
Exposure to PS‐MPs in mice led to significant increases in calcium, thyroxin, free T3, free T4, ALP, AST, ALT, and amylase levels, alongside elevated oxidative stress markers. Conversely, the levels of TSH, calcitonin, magnesium and phosphate decreased. Histopathological analysis showed abnormal thyroid follicle development, decrease parafollicular cells, with colloid loss, haemorrhage, and necrosis. Gene expression analysis revealed a marked reduction in TSHR and TPO levels in PS‐MPs treated groups, indicating thyroid dysfunction. These findings highlight the profound impact of PS‐MPs on thyroid gland function in mice.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the potential risks that PS‐MPs pose to thyroid health, with potential consequences for other veterinary species. As environmental contamination rises, veterinarians may encounter more endocrine disorders linked to PS‐MPs, emphasising the need for further research and preventive measures.
... The most cited article (1,340 citations) was the one conducted by Wright & Kelly (2017) in which the human exposure to microplastics was addressed in a review study. The objectives were to address the routes of exposure to microplastics through food and inhalation, the absorption and translocation of microplastics, and, finally, the potential risks to human health. ...
The accumulation of plastics can be seen macroscopically in piles of plastic bottles and bags in landfills, and in a less visible way, microscopically, comprising the microplastics that are everywhere. Our main objective was to evaluate the scientific production on microplastics and human health using the Web of Science database. We focused on estimating the number of publications per year, the most relevant countries in terms of number of publications, highlights of production co-authored within countries, most cited articles, relevant journals in terms of number of publications, and the focus of studies. Seventy-two countries showed scientific production on microplastics and health revealing the importance of the topic throughout the world. The first publications on the subject occurred in Europe and more recently in the Asian countries. The largest number of articles were published by authors from China, but the most cited are from European countries, which were the first to publish on the subject. The journal that ranked first in relevance was the Science of the Total Environment that covers several aspects related to microplastics and human health. Regarding the focus of the studies, the “microplastics in food” category was the one that showed the highest number of publications. From the panorama outlined by our scientometric analysis, a significant increase in publications in recent years is highlighted, gaps are pointed, and paths suggested bettering paving studies on human health and microplastics.
... Various environmental processes facilitate the breakdown of plastics into microplastics (MPs), thereby exacerbating plastic pollution and its associated ecological challenges [4]. These diminutive particles infiltrate living organisms and, upon ingestion, accumulate within tissues and organs, posing considerable health risks [5]. Moreover, research indicates that MPs can disperse throughout biological systems, accumulate in various tissues, and trigger oxidative stress by elevating the production of free oxygen radicals [6]. ...
Background
Microplastic (MP) contamination has emerged as a critical global concern. The most effective approach to mitigating this issue involves substantially minimizing the release of plastic waste into the environment. While addressing such an extensive environmental challenge is inherently complex, public education remains a vital component of any comprehensive solution. In this context, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention delivered through a mobile phone application in enhancing women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the health-related impacts of MPs.
Methods
This two-arm, parallel-design randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from September 2024 to November 2024 with 136 women aged 18 years and older who owned smartphones, had basic literacy skills, and provided informed consent. Participants were recruited through an online call disseminated via social media platforms and health system networks in Iran. They were randomly assigned via block randomization to an intervention group (n = 68) that received the educational program through the app or a control group (n = 68). The sample size was calculated via G*Power software to ensure sufficient power (80%), with an alpha level of 0.05, resulting in a 15% dropout rate. Primary outcome data (Microplastic Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (MIKAP) questionnaire scores were collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 8 weeks postintervention via self-report questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential tests, such as independent t tests and paired t tests, to assess group differences and within-group changes over time.
Results
Demographic homogeneity was confirmed between the intervention and control groups (P > 0.05 for all baseline variables). The app-based educational intervention significantly improved knowledge scores in the intervention group at posttest 1 (Immediately follow-up; P < 0.001) and posttest 2 (8 weeks later follow-up; P < 0.001), whereas the control group presented declining knowledge (P = 0.009). The attitude scores did not significantly improve in the intervention group (P = 0.155) but significantly decreased in the control group (P = 0.008). Practice scores increased markedly in the intervention group postintervention (P < 0.001), with sustained gains at follow-up, whereas controls showed no significant changes (P = 0.105). Mann‒Whitney tests confirmed significant between-group differences in all outcomes postintervention (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The mobile app-based educational intervention effectively enhanced women’s knowledge and practices regarding microplastics and health. These findings highlight the potential of digital tools in addressing environmental health challenges through targeted public education.
Trial status
Protocol Version 1, 2024-07-12. The enrollment of participants began on 2024–09–22. Recruitment is estimated to be completed by 2024-11‒21.
Trial registration
Iranian Clinical Trial Register (IRCT20240529061941N1).
URL
https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/user/trial/77069/view.
... The most common symptoms include dryness, erythema, desquamation, itching and loss of elasticity. Oxidative stress and disturbances in the production and structure of collagen, especially types I and III, play a key role in these changes [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. ...
Oncological therapy is a very complex process. An accurate diagnosis is the first and most important stage of therapy for the patient, as it allows the medical staff to determine what treatment is necessary and how to plan it. Cancer treatment is now widely recognized as holistic, in which the body is viewed as one interconnected system. Cancer therapy should not focus on just one area of care, but should also include treatment support such as proper nutrition or pain management. The aim of the article was to confirm the level of hydration, limit excessive water loss and regulate the pH value of the skin of patients after cancer treatment who were administered fish collagen. The cosmetic preparation collagen laminate obtained by ultrafiltration was tested on patients who underwent therapy at the University Hospital in Zielona Góra and who underwent radiotherapy. Patients are currently no longer undergoing treatment. The research group of 50 women suffered from breast cancer (n = 50). Before the experiment, the patients’ skin was examined to diagnose its condition (zero condition). The study was conducted with the consent of the Bioethics Committee (consent number 692/23). It was confirmed that the product tested for an oncological patient has an appropriate level of skin hydration, supports the reconstruction of the skin and its energy barrier by reducing transepidermal water loss and restoring appropriate pH values. Thanks to this, the effects of pathological changes can be removed and the effects of pathological changes can be accelerated.
... Meanwhile, the effect of MP on human health is still remaining unclear. It is assumed that toxicity after long exposure to the human internal organ can lead to diabetes type-2, heart disease, cancer, inflammatory and metabolic effects, cellular disintegration etc. (Prüst et al., 2020;Wright & Kelly, 2017). Therefore, it is essential to investigate the occurrence and to identify characteristics of the MPs, to know the indication of the source, fate and transport and relationship between biota and ecosystems which potentially can be used to mitigate plastic pollution. ...
The plastic pollution is an ever-growing issue across the globe. In particular, Microplastics (MPs) can act as toxin accumulators in the fish tissues, which may transfer to human bodies via food chain and potentially harmful to human health. In Malaysia, studies related to MPs mostly focused on sediment and wild-caught freshwater fish. However, there is a lack of study on commercial marine fish especially conducted in Bintulu, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Therefore, this study was to investigate and establish baseline data for future research and monitor of MPs pollution in Bintulu's marine environment. The MPs were observed in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) and gills from the 6 species of commercial marine fish. The sample was digested with 15% of KOH solution, with shaking at 90 rpm, at 60 °C for 24 h, then continued with shaking at 90 rpm at room temperature for 24 h. After that, the MPs sample were extracted by density separation using 100 mL NaCl solution. The samples were identified and characterized under stereomicroscope and Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). As the result, the highest abundance was found in Alepes djedaba with an abundance of 3.51 0.764 items/g, and the lowest abundance was found in Gerres filamentosus with an abundance of 1.48 0.440 items/g. The most dominant shape, color and size of MPs across the study were fiber (73%), blue (47%) and less than 1 mm (67%), respectively. FTIR analysis detected polymer compositions of polystyrene (PS) and polyamide (PA) in the sample. This study provides baseline data on MPs research in Bintulu and becomes source of information for policy makers to take better actions.
... A second direct impact is the increased risk of microplastic presence from the mechanical breakdown of plastic debris (Belioka and Achilias, 2024;Willis et al., 2017). Microplastics are known to pose severe risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health (Gallo et al., 2018;Mahidin et al., 2022;Wright and Kelly, 2017), also affecting the dynamics of sediment transport. Microplastic's contamination of soil and groundwater essentially provides major routes through which degraded channel SPDs become present in agricultural produce, and water resources with devastating health challenges to humans and other organisms. ...
The emergence of plastic pollution as a global threat to both terrestrial and aquatic organisms has seen efforts
geared toward minimizing its production and monitoring widespread distribution within the ecosystem. Though
with distinct characteristics and sources, plastic debris and sediments often interact in the natural environment
through a complex relationship, forming “sediment plastic debris” (SPD) which leaks into the riverine system through human actions or elements of nature. Quantifying SPD in riverine environments is therefore essential for understanding the extent of pollution and its ecological impacts. This study presents a practical approach to analyzing SPD production, transportation, and accumulation in developing countries' terrestrial and aquatic environments where plastic waste management strategies and infrastructure remain insufficient. Surface and riverine SPD hotspots were mapped and quantified and intercepting grids (13 mm grid size) were installed in five locations within the channel to capture leaked SPDs. The Random Forest and XGBoost were also employed to develop SPD susceptibility maps for the subbasin. Our findings revealed a remarkable proliferation of SPD hotspots with considerable risk of leaking into the riverine system. A significant >95 % of hotspots were located between 0 and 300 m from the road network while 50 % were located at distances <300 m from the river network or entirely on the flood plain and river channel. Our findings indicate that approximately 100 tons of plastics and 700 tons of putrescible debris are transported annually in low-flow conditions. These amounts are expected to increase due to contributions from surface runoff and remobilization from upstream. The two models used for SPD susceptibility showed results with remarkable AUC of 93 % and 92 %, predicting significant 30 % and 36 %, respectively, of the basin’s area to be highly susceptible to SPD accumulation. These results underscore the urgent need for improved plastic waste management.
... A significant number of plastic items are discarded after use daily. A total of 320 million tonnes of plastic waste are discarded annually, 10% of which eventually reaches and persists in aquatic environments [1]. Due to the influence of physical chemical, and biological factors in the environment, plastic can degrade into five various sizes and forms, including nanoplastics (≤0.1 μm), microplastics (<5 mm), mеsoplastics (0.5-5 cm), macroplastics (5-50 cm), and mеgaplastics (>50 cm) [2]. ...
... Simultaneously, the presence of PET-based microplastics in the atmosphere has prompted concerns regarding inhalation-related health risks. Collectively, these insights emphasize the pressing need for integrated and ecologically sound management practices for PET waste, particularly within the framework of MSWI [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Although there have been environmental concerns, incineration has developed into a more environmentally friendly and efficient approach to waste disposal [17]. ...
Effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management is essential for sustainable urban development and reflects the growing interdependence between human progress and environmental integrity. This paper presents a systematic review of the environmental implications of incineration technologies through life cycle assessment (LCA), as applied to MSW management. This study scrutinizes how these technologies influence environmental sustainability, tackling both the hurdles and forward strides in the realm of waste-to-energy (WtE) transformations. The analysis points out significant areas where research is lacking, emphasizes the emerging relevance of incorporating social and socio-economic dimensions in evaluations, and calls for the enhancement of data precision in LCAs to bolster their trustworthiness. The research highlights the dynamic field of waste management technologies and their repercussions on eco-sustainable practices. It advocates for a thorough appraisal that amalgamates the environmental, economic, and societal dimensions of assorted WtE modalities, including incineration, to grasp their full sustainability potential. This methodology is intended to guide the formulation of more eco-sustainable waste handling strategies and the adept governance of greenhouse gas emissions following incineration, aiming ultimately to provide a more nuanced comprehension of the environmental impacts of incineration technologies across diverse locales and technological progressions.
... Organisma marin, termasuk ikan, boleh tercemar melalui pendedahan terhadap air yang mengandungi mikroplastik atau melalui pemakanan kerana mikroplastik sering disalah anggap sebagai makanan (Browne 2015;Wright & Kelly 2017). Kajian saintifik menunjukkan bahawa pengambilan mikroplastik secara berlebihan boleh menyebabkan kesan toksikologi dan fizikal yang berbahaya terhadap hidupan marin (Rochman et al. 2013;Vital et al. 2021). ...
Pencemaran mikroplastik dalam persekitaran marin telah mencapai tahap yang semakin membimbangkan di seluruh dunia. Kajian mengenai pencemaran mikroplastik pada organisma marin masih kurang di Malaysia, terutama bagi spesies yang turut menjadi makanan laut dan sajian utama di Malaysia, contohnya ikan tongkol (Euthynnus affinis). Sebanyak 207 organ telah diekstrak keluar daripada 69 ekor ikan tongkol dengan tiga organ diambil daripada setiap ikan (iaitu saluran gastrousus, insang dan kulit) yang telah disampel dari empat kawasan pendaratan ikan utama di Malaysia, iaitu Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu; Kuantan, Pahang; Mersing, Johor; dan Kuala Selangor, Selangor. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kulit ikan tongkol mempunyai kandungan mikroplastik tertinggi (1.52 ± 0.91 mikroplastik per gram) berbanding organ insang dan saluran gastrousus. Jenis mikroplastik yang paling dominan dijumpai adalah berbentuk serat (89.95%), diikuti dengan serpihan (10.05%). Warna mikroplastik paling banyak dikenal pasti ialah hitam(61.58%) dan biru (21.39%). Julat saiz 0.01-1.00 mm merupakan saiz mikroplastik yang paling banyak dijumpai. Kelimpahan mikroplastik berkorelasi positif dengan saiz badan ikan menunjukkan kandungan mikroplastik pada ikan tongkol semakin bertambah seiring dengan pertambahan umur dan saiz badan ikan. Data kajian ini menemukan mikroplastik pada kesemua organ ikan tongkol yang dikaji, maka adalah disarankan agar kulit luaran ikan perlu dibersihkan dan organ dalaman seperti insang dan saluran gastrousus perlu disiang terlebih dahulu sebelum digunakan dalam sebarang penyediaan hidangan makanan bagi mengurangkan risiko kemasukan mikroplastik terhadap manusia melalui pemakanan ikan tongkol ini.
Genetic predisposition accounts for less than 20% of the global disease burden, highlighting the substantial role of environmental factors in health outcomes. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), a growing global prevalence, understanding the interplay between genes and the environment is crucial. Emerging research in the exposome and genome underscores how environmental exposures interact with genetic variants to influence the development and progression of CKD. The term “exposome” encompasses a variety of factors, including personal behaviors like smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and making specific dietary choices (such as consuming ultra-processed foods, sugar, or fat). It also includes broader determinants such as pesticides, air, water, and soil pollution, nanoplastics, global warming, stressful life events, and socioeconomic status. Research on the exposome significantly increases our understanding of toxicological processes and individual variations in susceptibility to environmental stressors. This narrative review aims to explore the exposome associated with CKD, highlight key environmental exposures in its development, and discuss potential preventive and therapeutic strategies informed by these exposure-related factors.
The usage of plastics in life and industrial applications has led to global environmental pollution by micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs). Despite their widespread occurrence in the environment, little is known about their presence in humans and the potential implications for human health, particularly maternal and fetal health during the prenatal and neonatal periods. Studies on experimental animals indicate that exposure to MPs/NPs can lead to neurological abnormalities in offspring and hemodynamic alterations in the placenta and fetal cerebral arteries. These findings underscore the need for further epidemiological studies that examine the effects of MPs/NPs on fetal health during pregnancy, a critical period for neurological development. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on the effects of prenatal exposure to MPs/NPs on fetal development and birth outcomes in humans and provides a detailed overview of the challenges encountered in contamination prevention, quality assurance and quality control in analytical procedures. It also discusses the sampling and digestion methods used for the extraction of MPs/NPs from biological samples of maternal and fetal origin, highlighting the difficulties associated with accurately quantifying these particles in complex biological matrices, identifying the gaps in current research, and suggesting recommendations to improve methodologies for assessing the risks associated with prenatal MP/NP exposure.
The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised significant concerns regarding their potential health impacts, particularly in relation to carcinogenesis. This study aimed to identify and analyze microplastics present in peritumoral and tumor tissues of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). Utilizing advanced scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging systems, we systematically examined tissue samples to detect and characterize the microplastics. Our findings revealed a diverse array of microplastic types, notably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE), within both peritumoral and tumor regions. Compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, tumor tissues exhibited a greater variety and distribution of microplastics. Furthermore, Clathrin—a key protein involved in endocytosis—was found to be highly expressed in colorectal cancer specimens, facilitating the substantial uptake of microplastics. These results suggest a potential association between exposure to microplastics and the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. This study highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and regulatory measures aimed at mitigating microplastic pollution along with its associated health risks.
In the present study, we investigated the photodegradation of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exposed to natural sunlight over an extended period. Changes in particle size, surface charge, morphology, and chemical structure of PS-MPs were evaluated using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta potential measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Our findings revealed that exposure to natural sunlight significantly accelerates MP degradation process, resulting in pronounced fragmentation and chemical alterations compared to samples kept in dark conditions. While degradation occurs in the dark, light enhances the process.
Plastic pollution along the shores of Swan-Canning Estuary (Swan and Canning Rivers) in Perth, Australia is an increasing concern, with a survey by the Western Australian Government reporting an average of 151 plastic pieces per square meter in the Swan-Canning Estuary. This study examines the origins, distribution, and concentrations of microplastics (MPs) in the Swan-Canning Estuary to inform effective mitigation strategies. Water samples were collected from 3 key locations along the Swan-Canning Estuary, including Matilda Bay, Deep Water Point Reserve, and Bardon Park. Sampling was conducted over 14 runs, with a combination of 5.6 mm (3.5 mesh) and 0.10mm (150 mesh) or 0.074 mm (200 mesh) sieves used to capture microplastics effectively. Approximately 1000 to 2000 litres of water were processed per site through sieving and chemical treatments to isolate MPs, which were subsequently analysed using Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed the highest MP concentration at Matilda Bay, followed by Bardon Park and Deep Water Point Reserve, with no MPs detected at the other sites. Seasonal variations were noted, with higher concentrations during winter compared to summer, necessitating further research to confirm this trend. Polypropylene, commonly associated with fisheries and marine activities, emerged as the most prevalent MP species. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy for microplastic detection and identifies key pollution hotspots in the Swan and Canning Rivers. The findings offer valuable insights for targeted remediation efforts and support broader initiatives to mitigate plastic pollution in urban waterways.
This study aims to analyze bibliometric repertoire on the topic microplastics in aquaculture with an understanding that occurrence of microplastics contribute to aquaculture pollution resulting in environmental hazards. Rising concerns on the theme is in relation to hazardous biotic as well as a biotic build-up of microplastics from off shore, onshore anthropogenic activities in aquaculture practices, distressing ecosystem balance and global health. Bibliometric analysis on the search string 'microplastics in aquaculture' was obtained from Web of Science database dating publications 2011 onwards, signifying the recent and surging discourse on the issue. Country and organization based bibliographic outcomes depict larger participation of China with other regions in expanding its research initiatives. Besides the main theme, drawing relations to greater co-occurrence of key terms identifies with words such as fish, pollution, toxicity, sustainability and ingestion. Association to attainment of seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can also be deduced from analyzed records.
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm in length, have been found to have significant negative impacts on both human health and the environment. Due to the alarming increase in contamination worldwide and excessive production of plastics and synthetic materials, there is an urgent need to investigate the effects of those substances on human health. It has been observed that there exists a definite correlation between exposure to micro-and nanoplastic particles and the onset of several cancers and other health disorders. Of particular concern are plastic additives, chemical compounds that are intentionally or unintentionally added to plastics to improve functionality or as residual components of plastic production. Microplastics and nanoparticles enter the human body even when consuming drinking water, food and during normal breathing. Contamination may occur also through the migration of nanoplastic particles from the packaging materials into food products. Micro-and nanoplastic fibers are also present in other foods, including beer, honey, table salt, tea bags and sugar. The sources of airborne microplastic include synthetic fabrics from clothing, rubber tire erosion, household objects, building materials, landfills, abrasive powders and 3D printing. Microplastic in the food chain have potential health risks on human includes, cancer, immunotoxicity, intestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, loss of male and female sterility, adverse effects on pregnancy and maternal exposure to progeny. The actual impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health cannot be clearly and completely defined, since it requires extensive, multidisciplinary long-term research.
One of the emerging environmental contaminants is micro and nanoplastics (MP/NPs), which are found all over the world. Their extreme durability and the discharge of chemicals and additives employed in the production of plastics could adversely impact living things globally. MP/NPs migrate or disperse from one environmental compartment to another because of the natural interconnection of the terrestrial, atmospheric, and aquatic ecosystems. However, there is still a lack of evidence regarding MP/NPs dispersion throughout environmental compartments and potential effects on living things. This review focuses on the effects of MP/NPs on living organisms after first introducing the dispersion mechanisms of MP/NPs in the environment and their impacts on soil physiochemical properties. The migration behavior of MP/NPs, their long-term accumulation trends, and their occurrence in the food chain are discussed based on the current understanding of these compounds. Finally, the article discussed the difficulties in cleaning up plastic pollution, mitigation strategies such as employing microbes and encouraging environmentally friendly trash disposal techniques, and the significant gaps in MP/NPs investigation that should be addressed in future research.
Graphical Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are currently one of the main pollutants in the aquatic environment and translocation to the human body will cause health problems. This study aims to find the desorption formula for MPs from green mussels (Perna viridis) with the oxidizing agent Ca(OH)2 or whiting lime. The results will be compared with the use of HNO3 which is commonly used for MPs analysis. There were 2 variations of Ca(OH)2, namely 10 and 15 mL, and soaking for 15; 30; and 60 minutes. The abundance and characteristics of MPs (shape, size, and color) were observed in 30 samples with 3 repetitions. The results of this research indicate that all samples have been contaminated with MPs. The highest number of MPs was found in the immersion of Ca(OH)2 for 30 minutes at a concentration of 15 mL of 1% Ca(OH)2. The oxidizing agent Ca(OH)2 was able to remove MPs much higher than HNO3 with an effectiveness of 72.98–1,120% or 2–12 times, which was supported by statistical results that showed significant differences (P <0.05). Thus, the conclusion is that the use of Ca(OH)2 is effective in removing MPs from green mussels with an optimal ratio of 1:3.8 (g/mL).
Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to global environmental health, particularly within freshwater ecosystems, where these minute particles accumulate and persist. This research endeavors to provide a thorough examination of microplastic contamination within the Brunei River, aiming to elucidate its abundance, distribution patterns, and polymer composition. Sediment and water samples were systematically collected from six locations along the river, employing rigorous methodologies for microplastic isolation and characterization, including microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analysis revealed substantial microplastic abundance within both sediment and the water column, with concentrations averaging 1212 particles/g and 850 particles/L, respectively. Notably, transparent microplastics dominated sediment samples, constituting 28% of observed particles, while black microplastics prevailed in the water column, comprising 38% of the total. Through attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis, six distinct polymer compositions were identified, encompassing mixed polymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyamide, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene. Furthermore, spatial analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between microplastic contamination in sediment and water samples and the proximity to densely populated and urbanized areas along the riverbanks. This relationship highlights the substantial influence of anthropogenic activities on pollution levels within these ecosystems. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to address microplastic pollution in riverine environments. Implementing sustainable waste management practices and enforcing robust regulatory measures are essential steps to mitigate this growing environmental challenge and protect both ecological integrity and human health.
Microplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants, attracting significant concern due to their potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This study hypothesizes that microplastics may significantly impact gastrointestinal (GI) health through various mechanisms. The objective of this systematic review is to explore the effects of microplastics on GI health, focusing on animal models such as mice, fish and earthworms.
A systematic review approach was employed, analyzing studies that investigate the impact of microplastics on the gut microbiota, gut barrier integrity and GI inflammation. The review includes a synthesis of findings from multiple animal models.
The review reveals consistent evidence that microplastics can disrupt the gut microbiota, impair the gut barrier, and induce inflammatory responses in the GI tract. Statistical analysis shows a significant correlation between microplastic exposure and GI health deterioration across various animal models.
The findings underscore the harmful effects of microplastics on GI health, emphasizing the urgent need for policy interventions to reduce plastic pollution. Implementing measures to limit the production and usage of disposable plastics is crucial for mitigating the risks posed by microplastic contamination to promote environmental sustainability and safeguard human well-being.
Inorganic dietary nanoparticles (IDNPs) are frequently utilized as food additives and in packaging, resulting in their exposure becoming a substantial yet often overlooked concern for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Considering that impaired intestinal barrier function plays a central role in the pathogenesis of IBD, this review concentrates on the roles and mechanisms of IDNPs in the intestinal barrier (physical, chemical, biological, and immune barriers) of IBD patients. Previous studies have shown that different types of nanoparticles have varying effects on animals in diverse states. In this context, factors such as the source, size, shape, dosage, and duration of action of the nanoparticles, as well as the species, gender, dietary habits, and age of the animals, significantly influence research outcomes. Future studies should undertake more comprehensive explorations into the effects and mechanisms of IDNPs with diverse sources and properties in IBD patients.
As prepubertal boys do not yet produce spermatozoa, they cannot rely on sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation before gonadotoxic therapy, such as high-dose alkylating agents or radiotherapy in the case of childhood cancers. According to the current guidelines, cryopreservation of testicular biopsies containing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) may be proposed to high-risk patients for potential later therapeutic use to fulfill the patients’ wish for a biological child. One promising technique for human in vitro spermatogenesis and in vitro propagation of human SSCs is microfluidic (MF) culture, in which cells or tissues are subjected to a continuous flow of medium. This provides exact control over such parameters as nutrient content and gradients, as well as the removal of waste metabolites. While MF has been shown to maintain tissues and cell populations of organs for longer than conventional in vitro culture techniques, it has not been widely used for testicular in vitro culture. MF could advance human testicular in vitro culture and is also applicable to reprotoxicity studies. This review summarizes the findings and achievements of testis-on-chip (ToC) setups to date and discusses the benefits and limitations of these for spermatogenesis in vitro and toxicity assessment.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that pose significant health risks. Several studies have reported the presence of these particles in various human tissues, including the heart, arterial plaques, and bloodstream of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Emerging research suggests an association between these particles and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that micro- and nanoplastics induce endothelial cell toxicity, disrupt lipid metabolism, promote oxidative stress, and facilitate foam cell formation, thereby exacerbating atherosclerosis. Furthermore, they activate inflammatory pathways, compromising vascular barrier integrity. These particles also influence coagulation dynamics by altering clotting cascade activation and promoting thrombus formation. Additionally, they induce hemolysis, alter red blood cell morphology, and impair immune cell functions, including those of macrophages and lymphocytes, by modulating cytokine secretion and inflammatory responses. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for devising effective public health strategies to mitigate the cardiovascular impact of micro- and nanoplastics.
Phthalates, widely utilised as plasticisers to enhance the flexibility of rigid materials like polyvinyl chloride, are known for their endocrine-disrupting properties and cytotoxic effects.This study investigated the impact of Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and Diethyl-hexyl terephthalate (DEHT) on human endothelial cells (EA.hy926).The assessment focused on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and the antioxidant-responsive genes expression (NFE2L2, SOD1, TXN, and TXNRD2) following exposure to varying 1, 10, and 100 µg/mL of DINP or DEHT.Cell viability was determined using MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. ROS were measured using the DCFDA assay.Gene expression analysis was conducted via qRT-PCR after 48 h of exposure. Results revealed that DINP 100 µg/mL significantly reduced cell viability at 11 and 17% at 48 and 72 h, respectively, whereas increased LDH release by 69% at 48 h. ROS levels also rose by 19-30%, accompanied by down-regulation of NFE2L2, TXN, and TXNRD2.Conversely, DEHT had no adverse effect on cell viability or LDH levels but elevated ROS production (11-14%) and induced up-regulation of antioxidant genes, including SOD1.The findings indicate that DINP exposure could negatively affect the cellular antioxidant response, whereas DEHT leads to up-regulation of antioxidant genes without detrimental effects on viability.
Plastik kirliliği, modern dünyanın en büyük çevresel ve insan sağlığı sorunlarından biri haline gelmiştir. Özellikle mikroplastikler (MP'ler) ve nanoplastikler (NP'ler), boyutlarının küçük olması ve doğada bozulmadan uzun süre kalabilmeleri nedeniyle hem ekosistemler hem de insan sağlığı için ciddi bir tehdit oluşturmaktadır. Bu partiküller, okyanuslardan dağ zirvelerine, hatta insan dokularına kadar her yerde bulunabilmekte ve çeşitli sağlık sorunlarına neden olabilmektedir. Ancak, MP ve NP'lerin işyeri ortamlarındaki varlığı ve çalışanlar üzerindeki etkileri, henüz yeterince araştırılmamış bir konudur.
Bu kitap; MP ve NP'lerin işyeri ortamlarındaki oluşumunu, maruziyet yollarını, toksikolojik etkilerini ve çalışanlar üzerindeki potansiyel sağlık etkilerini kapsamlı bir şekilde incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca; küresel ve bölgesel (Türkiye özelinde) yasal çerçeveler, risk azaltma stratejileri ve geleceğe yönelik öneriler de değerlendirilmiştir. Bu çalışma, özellikle plastik üretim, geri dönüşüm ve tekstil sektörlerinde çalışan işçilerin sağlığını korumaya yönelik önemli bir adım olmayı hedeflemektedir.
Kitabın hazırlanması sürecinde, MP ve NP'lerin çevresel ve insan sağlığı üzerindeki etkileri hakkında yapılan çok sayıda bilimsel çalışmadan yararlanılmıştır. Bu çalışmalar, MP ve NP'lerin işyeri ortamlarındaki varlığını ve çalışanlar üzerindeki etkilerini anlamak için önemli bir temel oluşturmaktadır.
Bu Kitabın; MP ve NP'lerin işyeri ortamlarındaki varlığı ve çalışanlar üzerindeki etkileri hakkında farkındalık oluşturmasını ve bu alanda yapılacak yeni çalışmalara ışık tutmasını umuyoruz. Ayrıca, bu çalışmanın, çalışan sağlığını korumaya yönelik politika ve stratejilerin geliştirilmesine katkıda bulunmasını temenni ediyoruz.
The global plastic waste crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable recycling, with chemical depolymerisation emerging as a cornerstone of the circular economy. This study maps global research trends and strategic pathways for waste plastic depolymerisation, revealing exponential growth since 2016, dominated by China and the U.S., with Europe leading in citation impact. Research has focused on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) via glycolysis, hydrolysis, and enzymatic methods; however, it neglects polyolefins, which are dominant in waste streams, exposing a critical mismatch. Emerging hybrid technologies, such as microwave-assisted and enzymatic-catalytic approaches, show promise but struggle with scalability and cost. Sustainability is gaining attention; however, weak Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) frameworks impede progress. Three main research domains have emerged, namely fundamental mechanisms, polymer-specific solutions, and sustainable innovation. Strategic directions include shifting the focus to polyolefins, integrating hybrid methods, and embedding LCA/TEA standards supported by policies such as polyolefin recycling subsidies and UN Treaty-backed collaborations. These insights offer researchers, funders, and policymakers a roadmap to align depolymerisation research with circular economy goals, advancing scalable and equitable solutions to the challenge of plastic waste.
Plastic production is rising globally, leading to increased microplastics in the environment, especially in the surrounding areas of landfill sites. This study investigated microplastics contamination in groundwater of Sajaa landfill site, Sharjah, UAE. The study monitored 30 groundwater boreholes, with 15 from Rahmaniya, 7 from Bedee, and 8 from Falah regions. Standard procedures were used for microplastic detection, with microscopy having a detection limit of 25 μm and ATR-FTIR analysis limited to particles ≥300 μm. Microplastics were identified in the water of 11 boreholes in Rahmaniya, with concentrations ranging from 12 to 235 n/L. In the Falah area, contamination was observed in two boreholes, with concentrations of 56 and 41 n/L, while no contamination was found in the Bedee area. Based on the characterization conducted using ATR-FTIR identified the presence of polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, and polyvinyl chloride microplastics. Landfill site may have potential influence on the microplastic contamination of groundwater.
Micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPPs) are emerging pollutants with significant environmental impacts due to their persistence, increasing concentrations, and potential health risks. Most MNPP studies have focused on identifying, quantifying, and assessing their ecotoxicological impacts in water or soil. However, the atmosphere is crucial in transporting and chemically transforming MNPPs. Further, well-established aerosol particle characterization techniques are underutilized and inconsistently applied in existing atmospheric MNPP studies. This perspective synthesizes the existing literature and addresses future research needs unique to atmospheric MNPPs, highlighting the need to bridge the microplastics and atmospheric aerosol communities to better understand their sources, chemical transformations, transport mechanisms, as well as their health effects and ecological impacts, which differ from those in soil and water. Advancing research in these areas requires standardized methods and a multidisciplinary approach to comprehensively assess MNPP interactions across environmental compartments, providing essential insights into their environmental fate and risks.
According to the new study published in Nature, India has secured the top spot as biggest plastic polluter in the world, releasing 9.3 million tonnes (Mt) annually. Plastic pollution remains a global challenge and this alarming trend of rising plastic waste in India has severe consequences for the environment, wildlife, and human health. The Indian government has launched initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to improve waste management, but more needs to be done to address the plight of waste pickers. Microplastics in water sources and food chains pose significant risks to human health, affecting the respiratory and reproductive systems and contributing to conditions like cancer. Studies link plastic pollution to an increased risk of cancer, male and female sterility, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Microplastic has been found in food and beverages. Microplastic are also found in disposable plastic cups for drinking and single-use food containers for home delivery of tea, coffee, and hot beverages. Hence it is recommended that avoid drinking tea, coffee and hot beverages in the plastic cups. Since microplastics do not degrade, those particles which enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation or touch, but are not excreted, can be expected to accumulate in tissues of the human body. Tissue accumulation of microplastics has been demonstrated in marine organisms and mammals. Additives to plastic of major health concern include toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium, bisphenol A (BPA). phthalates, brominated flame retardants (BFR) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The three main methods for detecting and quantifying microplastic concentrations in water are FTIR Spectroscopy, py-GC/MS, and Raman Spectroscopy.
The increasing production of polyethylene has inevitably led to its accumulation in the environment, which gradually created a global environmental problem. Unfortunately, despite the huge attention paid to microplastics and...
Microplastics [MPs], now a ubiquitous pollutant in the oceans, pose a serious potential threat to marine ecology and has justifiably encouraged focused biological and ecological research attention. But, their generation, fate, fragmentation and their propensity to sorb/release persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are determined by the characteristics of the polymers that constitutes them. Yet, physico-chemical characteristics of the polymers making up the MPs have not received detailed attention in published work. This review assesses the relevance of selected characteristics of plastics that composes the microplastics, to their role as a pollutant with potentially serious ecological impacts. Fragmentation leading to secondary microplastics is also discussed underlining the likelihood of a surface-ablation mechanism that can lead to preferential formation of smaller sized MPs.
A state-of-the-science review was conducted to examine the potential for microplastics (MPs) to sorb hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) from the marine environment, for aquatic organisms to take up these HOCs from the MPs, and for this exposure to result in adverse effects to ecological and human health. Despite concentrations of HOCs associated with MPs that can be orders of magnitude greater than surrounding seawater, the relative importance of MPs as a route of exposure is difficult to quantify because aquatic organisms are typically exposed to HOCs from various compartments, including water, sediment, and food. Results of laboratory experiments and modeling studies indicate that HOCs can partition from MPs to organisms or from organisms to MPs, depending on experimental conditions. Very little information is available to evaluate ecological or human health effects from this exposure. Most of the available studies measured biomarkers that are more indicative of exposure than effects, and no studies showed effects to ecologically relevant endpoints. Therefore, evidence is weak to support the occurrence of ecologically significant adverse effects on aquatic life due to exposure to HOCs sorbed to MPs, or to wildlife populations and humans from secondary exposure via the food chain. More data are needed to fully understand the relative importance of exposure to HOCs from MPs compared to other exposure pathways. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The hypothesis that 'microplastic will transfer hazardous hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOC) to marine animals' has been central to the perceived hazard and risk of plastic in the marine environment. The hypothesis is often cited and has gained momentum, turning it into paradigm status. We provide a critical evaluation of the scientific literature regarding this hypothesis. Using new calculations based on published studies, we explain the sometimes contrasting views and unify them in one interpretive framework. One explanation for the contrasting views among studies is that they test different hypotheses. When reframed in the context of the above hypothesis, the available data become consistent. We show that HOC microplastic-water partitioning can be assumed to be at equilibrium for most microplastic residing in the oceans. We calculate the fraction of total HOC sorbed by plastics to be small compared to that sorbed by other media in the ocean. We further demonstrate consistency among (a) measured HOC transfer from microplastic to organisms in the laboratory, (b) measured HOC desorption rates for polymers in artificial gut fluids (c) simulations by plastic-inclusive bioaccumulation models and (d) HOC desorption rates for polymers inferred from first principles. We conclude that overall the flux of HOCs bioaccumulated from natural prey overwhelms the flux from ingested microplastic for most habitats, which implies that microplastic ingestion is not likely to increase the exposure to and thus risks of HOCs in the marine environment.
The release of plastics into the environment has been identified as an important issue for some time. Recent publications have suggested that the degradation of plastic materials will result in the release of nano-sized plastic particles to the environment. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was applied to characterise the formation of nanoplastics during the degradation of a polystyrene (PS) disposable coffee cup lid. The results clearly show an increase in the formation of nanoplastics over time. After 56 days' exposure the concentration of nanoplastics in the PS sample was 1.26 × 108 particles/ml (average particles size 224 nm) compared to 0.41 × 108 particles/ml in the control.
Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Identifying patterns of microplastic distribution will benefit an understanding of the scale of their potential effect on the environment and organisms. As sea ice extent is reducing in the Arctic, heightened shipping and fishing activity may increase marine pollution in the area. Microplastics may enter the region following ocean transport and local input, although baseline contamination measurements are still required. Here we present the first study of microplastics in Arctic waters, south and southwest of Svalbard, Norway. Microplastics were found in surface (top 16cm) and sub-surface (6 depth) samples using two independent techniques. Origins and pathways bringing microplastic to the Arctic remain unclear. Particle composition (95% fibres) suggests they may either result from the breakdown of larger items (transported over large distances by prevailing currents, or derived from local vessel activity), or input in sewage and wastewater from coastal areas. Concurrent observations of high zooplankton abundance suggest a high probability for marine biota to encounter microplastics and a potential for trophic interactions. Further research is required to understand the effects of microplastic-biota interaction within this productive environment.
Plastics are highly versatile materials that have brought huge societal benefits. They can be manufactured at low cost and their lightweight and adaptable nature has a myriad of applications in all aspects of everyday life, including food packaging, consumer products, medical devices and construction. By 2050, however, it is anticipated that an extra 33 billion tonnes of plastic will be added to the planet. Given that most currently used plastic polymers are highly resistant to degradation, this influx of persistent, complex materials is a risk to human and environmental health. Continuous daily interaction with plastic items allows oral, dermal and inhalation exposure to chemical components, leading to the widespread presence in the human body of chemicals associated with plastics. Indiscriminate disposal places a huge burden on waste management systems, allowing plastic wastes to infiltrate ecosystems, with the potential to contaminate the food chain. Of particular concern has been the reported presence of microscopic plastic debris, or microplastics (debris ≤1 mm in size), in aquatic, terrestrial and marine habitats. Yet, the potential for microplastics and nanoplastics of environmental origin to cause harm to human health remains understudied. In this article, some of the most widely encountered plastics in everyday use are identified and their potential hazards listed. Different routes of exposure to human populations , both of plastic additives, microplastics and nanoplastics from food items and from discarded debris are discussed. Risks associated with plastics and additives considered to be of most concern for human health are identified. Finally, some recent developments in delivering a new generation of safer, more sustainable polymers are considered.
Each year vast amounts of plastic are produced worldwide. When released to the environment, plastics accumulate, and plastic debris in the world´s oceans is of particular environmental concern. More than 60% of all floating debris in the oceans is plastic and amounts are increasing each year. Plastic polymers in the marine environment are exposed to sunlight, oxidants and physical stress, and over time they weather and degrade. The degradation processes and products must be understood to detect and evaluate potential environmental hazards. Some attention has been drawn to additives and persistent organic pollutants that sorb to the plastic surface, but so far the chemicals generated by degradation of the plastic polymers themselves have not been well studied from an environmental perspective. In this paper we review available information about the degradation pathways and chemicals that are formed by degradation of the six plastic types that are most widely used in the Europe. We extrapolate that information to likely pathways and possible degradation products under environmental conditions found on the oceans’ surface. The potential degradation pathways and products depend on the polymer type. UV-radiation and oxygen are the most important factors that initiate degradation of polymers with a carbon-carbon backbone, leading to chain scission. Smaller polymer fragments formed by chain scission are more susceptible to biodegradation and therefore abiotic degradation is expected to precede biodegradation. When heteroatoms are present in the main chain of a polymer, degradation proceeds by photo-oxidation, hydrolysis, and biodegradation. Degradation of plastic polymers can lead to low molecular weight polymer fragments, like monomers and oligomers, and formation of new end groups, especially carboxylic acids.
This study aimed to determine whether the uptake and localization of Ag in zebrafish was affected by the presence of polyethylene microplastic beads (PE MPBs). Zebrafish were exposed to 1 μg Ag L(-1) (radiolabelled with (110m)Ag) for 4 and 24 h in the presence or absence of PE MPBs (10, 100 or 1000 MPBs mL(-1)), and one treatment in which MPBs (1000 MPBs mL(-1)) were incubated with Ag to promote adsorption. The presence of MPBs, at any of the tested doses, had no effect on the uptake or localization of Ag. However, exposure to the Ag-incubated MPBs (∽75% of the Ag bound to MPBs) significantly reduced Ag uptake at both time points and also significantly increased the proportion of intestinal Ag. This study demonstrates that microplastics can alter the bioavailability and uptake route of a metal contaminant in a model fish species.
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Environmental context
Plastics production has increased considerably in recent years, leading to pollution by plastics, including microplastics (comprising particles smaller than 5 mm). This work addresses the issue of microplastics from urban sources and in receiving waters in Greater Paris. Microplastics were found in all urban compartments investigated, namely atmospheric fallout, waste- and treated water, and surface water.
Abstract
This study investigates the microplastic contamination of both urban compartments (wastewater and total atmospheric fallout) and surface water in a continental environment. These first investigations on an urban environment confirm the presence of microplastics in sewage, fresh water and total atmospheric fallout and provide knowledge on the type and size distribution of microplastics in the 100–5000-µm range. For the first time, the presence of microplastics, mostly fibres, is highlighted in total atmospheric fallout (29–280 particles m–2 day–1). High levels of fibres were found in wastewater (260–320 × 10³ particles m–3). In treated effluent, the contamination significantly decreased to 14–50 × 10³ particles m–3. In the River Seine, two sampling devices were used to collect both large and small microplastic particles: (i) a plankton net (80-µm mesh), and (ii) a manta trawl (330-µm mesh). Sampling with the plankton net showed a predominance of fibres, with concentrations ranging from 3 to 108 particles m–3. A greater diversity of both microplastic shapes and types was found during manta trawl sampling but at much lower concentrations (0.28–0.47 particles m–3). This combined approach could be relevant and implemented in future studies to provide an accurate overview of microplastic distribution in freshwater.
A growing body of literature reports on the abundance and effects of plastic debris, with an increasing focus on microplastic particles smaller than 5 mm. It has often been suggested that plastic particles in the <100 nm size range as defined earlier for nanomaterials (here referred to as 'nanoplastics'), may be emitted to or formed in the aquatic environment. Nanoplastics is probably the least known area of marine litter but potentially also the most hazardous. This paper provides the first review on sources, effects and hazards of nanoplastics. Detection methods are in an early stage of development and to date no nanoplastics have actually been detected in natural aquatic systems. Various sources of nanoplastics have been suggested such as release from products or nanofragmentation of larger particles. Nanoplastic fate studies for rivers show an important role for sedimen-tation of heteroaggregates, similar to that for non-polymer nanomaterials. Some prognostic effect studies have been performed but effect thresholds seem higher than nanoplastic concentrations expected in the environment. The high surface area of nanoplastics may imply that toxic chemicals are retained by nanoplastics, possibly increasing overall hazard. Release of non-polymer nanomaterial additives from small product fragments may add to the hazard of nanoplastics. Because
The likelihood of oral exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) is increasing, and it is necessary to evaluate the oral bioavailability of NPs. In vitro approaches could help reducing animal studies, but validation against in vivo studies is essential. Previously, we assessed the translocation of 50 nm polystyrene NPs of different charges (neutral, positive and negative) using a Caco-2/HT29-MTX in vitro intestinal translocation model. The NPs translocated in a surface charge-dependent manner. The present study aimed to validate this in vitro intestinal model by an in vivo study. For this, rats were orally exposed to a single dose of these polystyrene NPs and the uptake in organs was determined. A negatively charged NP was taken up more than other NPs, with the highest amounts in kidney (37.4 µg/g tissue), heart (52.8 µg/g tissue), stomach wall (98.3 µg/g tissue) and small intestinal wall (94.4 µg/g tissue). This partly confirms our in vitro findings, where the same NPs translocated to the highest extent. The estimated bioavailability of different types of NPs ranged from 0.2 to 1.7 % in vivo, which was much lower than in vitro (1.6–12.3 %). Therefore, the integrated in vitro model cannot be used for a direct prediction of the bioavailability of orally administered NPs. However, the model can be used for prioritizing NPs before further in vivo testing for risk assessment.
Marine debris, mostly consisting of plastic, is a global problem, negatively impacting wildlife, tourism and shipping. However, despite the durability of plastic, and the exponential increase in its production, monitoring data show limited evidence of concomitant increasing concentrations in marine habitats. There appears to be a considerable proportion of the manufactured plastic that is unaccounted for in surveys tracking the fate of environmental plastics. Even the discovery of widespread accumulation of microscopic fragments (microplastics) in oceanic gyres and shallow water sediments is unable to explain the missing fraction. Here, we show that deep-sea sediments are a likely sink for microplastics. Microplastic, in the form of fibres, was up to four orders of magnitude more abundant (per unit volume) in deep-sea sediments from the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean than in contaminated sea-surface waters. Our results show evidence for a large and hitherto unknown repository of microplastics. The dominance of microfibres points to a previously underreported and unsampled plastic fraction. Given the vastness of the deep sea and the prevalence of microplastics at all sites we investigated, the deep-sea floor appears to provide an answer to the question-where is all the plastic?
Plastic pollution is ubiquitous throughout the marine environment, yet estimates of the global abundance and weight of floating plastics have lacked data, particularly from the Southern Hemisphere and remote regions. Here we report an estimate of the total number of plastic particles and their weight floating in the world’s oceans from 24 expeditions (2007–2013) across all five sub-tropical gyres, costal Australia, Bay of Bengal and the Mediterranean Sea conducting surface net tows (N5680) and visual survey transects of large plastic debris (N5891). Using an oceanographic model of floating debris dispersal calibrated by our data, and correcting for wind-driven vertical mixing, we estimate a minimum of 5.25 trillion particles weighing 268,940 tons. When comparing between four size classes, two microplastic ,4.75 mm and meso- and macroplastic .4.75 mm, a tremendous loss of microplastics is observed from the sea surface compared to expected rates of fragmentation, suggesting there are mechanisms at play that remove ,4.75 mm plastic particles from the ocean surface.
Background:
Synthetic microplastics (≤5-mm fragments) are emerging environmental contaminants that have been found to accumulate within coastal marine sediments worldwide. The ecological impacts and fate of microplastic debris are only beginning to be revealed, with previous research into these topics having primarily focused on higher organisms and/or pelagic environments. Despite recent research into plastic-associated microorganisms in seawater, the microbial colonization of microplastics in benthic habitats has not been studied. Therefore, we employed a 14-day microcosm experiment to investigate bacterial colonization of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics within three types of coastal marine sediment from Spurn Point, Humber Estuary, U.K.
Results:
Bacterial attachment onto LDPE within sediments was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridisation (CARD-FISH). Log-fold increases in the abundance of 16S rRNA genes from LDPE-associated bacteria occurred within 7 days with 16S rRNA gene numbers on LDPE surfaces differing significantly across sediment types, as shown by quantitative PCR. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis demonstrated rapid selection of LDPE-associated bacterial assemblages whose structure and composition differed significantly from those in surrounding sediments. Additionally, T-RFLP analysis revealed successional convergence of the LDPE-associated communities from the different sediments over the 14-day experiment. Sequencing of cloned 16S rRNA genes demonstrated that these communities were dominated after 14 days by the genera Arcobacter and Colwellia (totalling 84-93% of sequences). Attachment by Colwellia spp. onto LDPE within sediments was confirmed by CARD-FISH.
Conclusions:
These results demonstrate that bacteria within coastal marine sediments can rapidly colonize LDPE microplastics, with evidence for the successional formation of plastisphere-specific bacterial assemblages. Although the taxonomic compositions of these assemblages are likely to differ between marine sediments and the water column, both Arcobacter and Colwellia spp. have previously been affiliated with the degradation of hydrocarbon contaminants within low-temperature marine environments. Since hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria have also been discovered on plastic fragments in seawater, our data suggest that recruitment of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria on microplastics is likely to represent a shared feature between both benthic and pelagic marine habitats.
Significance
High concentrations of floating plastic debris have been reported in remote areas of the ocean, increasing concern about the accumulation of plastic litter on the ocean surface. Since the introduction of plastic materials in the 1950s, the global production of plastic has increased rapidly and will continue in the coming decades. However, the abundance and the distribution of plastic debris in the open ocean are still unknown, despite evidence of affects on organisms ranging from small invertebrates to whales. In this work, we synthetize data collected across the world to provide a global map and a first-order approximation of the magnitude of the plastic pollution in surface waters of the open ocean.
When sea ice forms it scavenges and concentrates particulates from the water column, which then become trapped until the ice melts. In recent years, melting has led to record lows in Arctic sea ice extent, the most recent in September 2012. Global climate models, such as that of Gregory et al. [2002], suggest that the decline in Arctic sea ice volume (3.4% per decade), will actually exceed the decline in sea ice extent, something that Laxon et al. [2013] have shown supported by satellite data. The extent to which melting ice could release anthropogenic particulates back to the open ocean has not yet been examined. Here we show that Arctic sea ice from remote locations contains concentrations of microplastics at least two orders of magnitude greater than those that have been previously reported in highly contaminated surface waters, such as those of the Pacific Gyre. Our findings indicate that microplastics have accumulated far from population centers and that polar sea ice represents a major historic global sink of man-made particulates. The potential for substantial quantities of legacy microplastic contamination to be released to the ocean as the ice melts therefore needs to be evaluated, as do the physical and toxicological effects of plastics on marine life.
Every year millions of tons of plastic are produced around the world and humans are increasingly exposed to them. This constant exposure to plastics has raised some concerns against human health, particularly when it comes to phthalates. These compounds have endocrine-disrupting properties, as they have the ability to bind molecular targets in the body and interfere with hormonal function and quantity. The main use of phthalates is to give flexibility to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers. Phthalates are found in a variety of industrial and consumer products, and as they are not covalently bound to the plastic, phthalates contaminate the environment from which human exposure occurs. Studies in human and animal populations suggest a correlation between phthalate exposure and adverse health outcomes, particularly at the reproductive and cardiovascular systems, however there is much less information about the phthalate toxicity of the later. Thus, the main purpose of this review is to present the studies relating the effects already stated of phthalates on the cardiovascular and reproductive systems, and also present the link between these two systems.
There has been a considerable increase on research of the ecological consequences of microplastics released into the environment, but only a handful of works have focused on the nano-sized particles of polymer-based materials. Though their presence has been difficult to adequately ascertain, due to the inherent technical difficulties for isolating and quantifying them, there is an overall consensus that these are not only present in the environment – either directly released or as the result of weathering of larger fragments – but that they also pose a significant threat to the environment and human health, as well. The reduced size of these particulates (< 1 μm) makes them susceptible of ingestion by organisms that are at the base of the food-chain. Moreover, the characteristic high surface area-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles may add to their potential hazardous effects, as other contaminants, such as persistent organic pollutants, could be adsorbed and undergo bioaccumulation and bioamplification phenomena.
Municipal effluent discharged from wastewater treatment works (WwTW) is suspected to be a significant contributor of microplastics (MP) to the environment as many personal care products contain plastic microbeads. A secondary WwTW (population equivalent 650 000) was sampled for microplastics at different stages of the treatment process to ascertain at what stage in the treatment process the MP are being removed. The influent contained on average 15.70 (±5.23) MP·L–1. This was reduced to 0.25 (±0.04) MP·L–1 in the final effluent, a decrease of 98.41%. Despite this large reduction we calculate that this WwTW is releasing 65 million microplastics into the receiving water every day. A significant proportion of the microplastic accumulated in and was removed during the grease removal stage (19.67 (±4.51) MP/2.5 g), it was only in the grease that the much publicised microbeads were found. This study shows that despite the efficient removal rates of MP achieved by this modern treatment plant when dealing with such a large volume of effluent even a modest amount of microplastics being released per liter of effluent could result in significant amounts of microplastics entering the environment. This is the first study to describe in detail the fate of microplastics during the wastewater treatment process.
Purpose:
Microbial communities in or on the body (i.e., the microbiome) are highly physiologically active and influence human health. Although environmental scientists are increasingly aware of the gut microbiome, the respiratory microbiome's role in the human response to inhaled pollutants is largely unknown.
Methods:
We reviewed the literature and present mechanisms by which the microbiome might mediate or modify human responses to inhaled pollutants.
Results:
The respiratory microbiome has been shown to influence chronic lung disease exacerbations, and increasing evidence indicates a role in disease development. Research also suggests that the respiratory microbiome could plausibly metabolize inhaled pollutants or modulate host inflammatory responses to exposure. Because these responses depend on the microbes present, defining the composition of the resident microbiome and how microbial communities shift with exposure may help to explain variations in susceptibility to inhaled pollutants. Although more research is needed, significant measurement challenges remain for large epidemiologic studies of the respiratory microbiome.
Conclusions:
The respiratory microbiome is likely an underexplored intermediate and potential cause of individual susceptibility to inhaled irritants/toxicants. Characterizing the microbiome's role in the human response to inhaled exposures could improve our understanding of the casual agents of exposure and suggest novel public health interventions.
This discussion of persorption is based primarily on the literature. My own opinion on this topic will become clear in the course of this discussion.
Sources, pathways and reservoirs of microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, remain poorly documented in an urban context. While some studies pointed out wastewater treatment plants as a potential pathway of microplastics, none have focused on the atmospheric compartment. In this work, the atmospheric fallout of microplastics was investigated in two different urban and sub-urban sites. Microplastics were collected continuously with a stainless steel funnel. Samples were then filtered and observed with a stereomicroscope. Fibers accounted for almost all the microplastics collected. An atmospheric fallout between 2 and 355 particles/m2/day was highlighted. Registered fluxes were systematically higher at the urban than at the sub-urban site. Chemical characterization allowed to estimate at 29% the proportion of these fibers being all synthetic (made with petrochemicals), or a mixture of natural and synthetic material. Extrapolation using weight and volume estimates of the collected fibers, allowed a rough estimation showing that between 3 and 10 tons of fibers are deposited by atmospheric fallout at the scale of the Parisian agglomeration every year (2500 km²). These results could serve the scientific community working on the different sources of microplastic in both continental and marine environments.
Microplastics have been found in seas all over the world. We hypothesize that sea salts might contain microplastics because they are directly supplied by seawater. To test our hypothesis, we collected 15 brands of sea salts, lake salts and rock/well salts from supermarkets throughout China. The microplastics content was 550-681 particles/kg in sea salts, 43-364 particles/kg in lake salts and 7-204 particles/kg in rock/well salts. In sea salts, fragments and fibers were the prevalent types of particles compared with pellets and sheets. Microplastics measuring less than 200 μm represented the majority of the particles, accounting for 55% of the total microplastics, and the most common microplastics were polyethylene terephthalate, followed by polyethylene and cellophane in sea salts. The abundance of microplastics in sea salts was significantly higher than that in lake salts and rock salts. This result indicates that sea products, such as sea salts, are contaminated by microplastics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on microplastic pollution in abiotic sea products.
Microplastics provide a mechanism for the long-range transport of hydrophobic chemical contaminants to remote coastal and marine locations. In this study, plastic resin pellets were collected from Zhengmingsi Beach and Dongshan Beach in China. The collected pellets were analyzed for PAHs, PCBs, HCHs, DDTs, chlordane, heptachlor, endosulfan, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. The total concentration of PCBs ranged from 34.7-213.7ngg(-1) and from 21.5-323.2ngg(-1) in plastic resin pellets for Zhengmingsi Beach and Dongshan Beach respectively. The highest concentrations of PCBs were observed for congeners 44, 110, 138, 155 and 200. The total concentration of PAHs ranged from 136.3-1586.9ngg(-1) and from 397.6-2384.2ngg(-1) in the plastic pellets, whereas DDTs concentration ranged from 1.2-101.5ngg(-1) and from 1.5-127.0ngg(-1) for the two beaches. The elevated concentrations of pollutants appear to be related to extensive industrial development, agricultural activity and the use of coal in the area.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Novel insights in nanoparticle (NP) uptake routes of cells, their intracellular trafficking and subcellular targeting can be obtained through the investigation of their temporal and spatial behavior. In this work, we present the application of image (cross-) correlation spectroscopy (IC(C)S) and single particle tracking (SPT) to monitor the intracellular dynamics of polystyrene (PS) NP in the human lung carcinoma A549 cell line. The ensemble kinetic behavior of NP inside the cell was characterized by temporal and spatiotemporal image correlation spectroscopy (TICS and STICS). Moreover, a more direct interpretation of the diffusion and flow detected in the NP motion was obtained by SPT by monitoring individual NP. Both techniques demonstrate that the PS NP transport in A549 cells is mainly dependent on microtubule-assisted transport. By applying spatiotemporal image cross-correlation spectroscopy (STICCS), the correlated motions of NP with the early endosomes, late endosomes and lysosomes are identified. PS NP were equally distributed among the endolysosomal compartment during the time interval of the experiments. The cotransport of the NP with the lysosomes is significantly larger compared to the other cell organelles. In the present study we show that the complementarity of ICS-based techniques and SPT enables a consistent elaborate model of the complex behavior of NP inside biological systems.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.
High concentrations of plastic debris have been observed in the oceans. Much of the recent concern has focussed on microplastics in the marine environment. Recent studies of the size distribution of the plastic debris suggested that continued fragmenting of microplastics into nano-sized particles may occur. In this review we assess the current literature on the occurrence of environmentally released micro- and nanoplastics in the human food production chain and their potential health impact. The currently used analytical techniques introduce a great bias in the knowledge, since they are only able to detect plastic particles well above the nano-range. We discuss the potential use of the very sensitive analytical techniques that have been developed for the detection and quantification of engineered nanoparticles. We recognize three possible toxic effects of plastic particles: firstly due to the plastic particles themselves, secondly to the release of persistent organic pollutant adsorbed to the plastics, and thirdly to the leaching of additives of the plastics. The limited data on microplastics in foods do not predict adverse effect of these pollutants or additives. Potential toxic effects of microplastic particles will be confined to the gut. The potential human toxicity of nanoplastics is poorly studied. Based on our experiences in nanotoxicology we prioritized future research questions.
Surface functionalization is a routine process to improve the behavior of nanoparticles (NPs), but the induced surface properties, such as surface charge, can produce differential toxicity profiles. Here, we synthesized a library of covalently functionalized fluorescent polymeric NPs (F-PLNPs) to evaluate the role of surface charge on the acute inflammation and the localization in the lung. Guanidinium-, acetylated-, zwitterionic-, hydroxylated-, PEGylated-, carboxylated- and sulfated-F-PLNPs were synthesized from aminated-F-PLNP. The primary particle sizes were identical, but the hydrodynamic sizes ranged from 210 to 345 nm. Following surface functionalization, the F-PLNPs showed diverse zeta potentials from -41.2 to 31.0 mV, and each F-PLNP showed a single, narrow peak. Pharyngeal aspiration with these eight types of F-PLNPs into rats produced diverse acute lung inflammation, with zeta potentials of the F-PLNPs showing excellent correlation with acute pulmonary inflammation parameters including the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (R(2) = 0.90, p < 0.0001) and the levels of interleukin-1β (R(2) = 0.83, p < 0.0001) and of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-3 (R(2) = 0.86, p < 0.0001). These results imply that surface charge is a key factor influencing lung inflammation by functionalized polymeric NPs, which further confirms and extends the surface charge paradigm that we reported for pristine metal oxide NPs. This demonstrates that the surface charge paradigm is a valuable tool to predict the toxicity of NPs.
In humans and other mammals it is known that calcium and phosphate ions are secreted from the distal small intestine into the lumen. However, why this secretion occurs is unclear. Here, we show that the process leads to the formation of amorphous magnesium-substituted calcium phosphate nanoparticles that trap soluble macromolecules, such as bacterial peptidoglycan and orally fed protein antigens, in the lumen and transport them to immune cells of the intestinal tissue. The macromolecule-containing nanoparticles utilize epithelial M cells to enter Peyer's patches, small areas of the intestine concentrated with particle-scavenging immune cells. In wild-type mice, intestinal immune cells containing these naturally formed nanoparticles expressed the immune tolerance-associated molecule 'programmed death-ligand 1', whereas in NOD1/2 double knockout mice, which cannot recognize peptidoglycan, programmed death-ligand 1 was undetected. Our results explain a role for constitutively formed calcium phosphate nanoparticles in the gut lumen and show how this helps to shape intestinal immune homeostasis.
Plastic contamination is an increasing environmental problem in marine systems where it has spread globally to even the most remote habitats. Plastic pieces in smaller size scales, microplastics (particles <5mm), have reached high densities (e.g., 100 000 items per m3) in waters and sediments, and are interacting with organisms and the environment in a variety of ways. Early investigations of freshwater systems suggest microplastic presence and interactions are equally as far reaching as are being observed in marine systems. Microplastics are being detected in freshwaters of Europe, North America, and Asia, and the first organismal studies are finding that freshwater fauna across a range of feeding guilds ingest microplastics.
Plastic debris in the marine environment is widely documented, but the quantity of plastic entering the ocean from waste generated on land is unknown. By linking worldwide data on solid waste, population density, and economic status, we estimated the mass of land-based plastic waste entering the ocean. We calculate that 275 million metric tons (MT) of plastic waste was generated in 192 coastal countries in 2010, with 4.8 to 12.7 million MT entering the ocean. Population size and the quality of waste management systems largely determine which countries contribute the greatest mass of uncaptured waste available to become plastic marine debris. Without waste management infrastructure improvements, the cumulative quantity of plastic waste available to enter the ocean from land is predicted to increase by an order of magnitude by 2025.
Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used in large quantities as flame-retardant additives in a number of commercial products. Biomonitoring data show that, in recent years, PBDE concentrations have increased rapidly in the bodies of wildlife and humans. Usually, PBDE levels in North America have been reported to be higher than those in Europe and Asia. Moreover, body burden of PBDEs is three- to ninefold higher in infants and toddlers than in adults, showing these last two age groups the highest levels of these compounds, due to exposure via maternal milk and through dust. Tetra-, Penta-, and Hexa-BDEs are the isomers most commonly found in humans. Based on studies on experimental animals, the toxicological endpoints of exposure to PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer. Experimental studies in animals and epidemiological observations in humans suggest that PBDEs may be developmental neurotoxicants. Pre- and/or postnatal exposure to PBDEs may cause long-lasting behavioral abnormalities, particularly on motor activity and cognition. This paper is focused on reviewing the current status of PBDEs in the environment, as well as the critical adverse health effects based on the recent studies on the toxic effects of PBDEs.
A total of 24 German beer brands was analysed for the contents of microplastic fibres, fragments and granular material. In all cases contamination was found. Counts ranged from 2 to 79 fibres/L, 12 to 109.1 fragments/L and 2 to 66 granules/L. The results show a high variability between individual samples and samples from different production dates. Possible sources of this contamination with foreign materials are discussed.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been detected in indoor dust in many studies, at concentrations spanning several orders of magnitude. Limited information is available on the pathways via which BFRs migrate from treated products into dust, yet the different mechanisms hypothesized to date may provide an explanation for the range of reported concentrations. In particular, transfer of BFRs to dust via abrasion of particles or fibers from treated products may explain elevated concentrations (up to 210mgg(-1)) of low volatility BFRs like decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209). In this study, an indoor dust sample containing a low concentration of hexabromocyclododecane, or HBCD, (110ngg(-1) ΣHBCDs) was placed on the floor of an in-house test chamber. A fabric curtain treated with HBCDs was placed on a mesh shelf 3cm above the chamber floor and abrasion induced using a stirrer bar. This induced abrasion generated fibers of the curtain, which contaminated the dust, and ΣHBCD concentrations in the dust increased to between 4020 and 52 500ngg(-1) for four different abrasion experiment times. The highly contaminated dust (ΣHBCD at 52 500ngg(-1)) together with three archived dust samples from various UK microenvironments, were investigated with forensic microscopy techniques. These techniques included Micro X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy, scanning emission microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with further BFR analysis on LC-MS/MS. Using these techniques, fibers or particles abraded from a product treated with BFRs were identified in all dust samples, thereby accounting for the elevated concentrations detected in the original dust (3500 to 88 800ngg(-1) ΣHBCD and 24 000 to 1 438 000ngg(-1) for BDE-209). This study shows how test chamber experiments alongside forensic microscopy techniques, can provide valuable insights into the pathways via which BFRs contaminate indoor dust.
Abstract Peritoneal Dialysis Solution (PDS) widely used to treat uremia and renal failure may contain toxicants that have leached from their plastic storage bags. In this study, PDS was administered i.p into lactating mice to investigate effects in the offspring. Treatment started from the first day of delivery until weaning. Ten lactating dams were given PDS from a bag stored at room temperature (25 °C). Another 10 receieved PDS from a bag pre-heated (50 °C) overnight. A third 10 was given the control PDS. Following weaning, the offspring were subjected to various biochemical and hematological tests. The significant (p≤ 0.05) effects were: elevation in ALT, AST, NPN, potassium, and triglycerides; drop in HDL cholesterol; rise in monocytes and granulocytes; drop in lymphocyte. Pre-heating seems to have no effect on leachability rate, producing similar effects in offspring, compared with the control. These effects could be attributable to leachables from bags of the investigated PDS.