Environmental Sciences Europe,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
36(1)
Published: Nov. 7, 2024
Microplastic
pollution
is
a
pressing
issue
with
far-reaching
environmental
and
public
health
consequences.
This
study
delves
into
the
intricacies
of
predicting
microplastic
during
COVID-19
pandemic
in
Tehran,
Iran.
The
research
introduces
rigorous
comparative
analysis
that
evaluates
predictive
prowess
Deep
Random
Forest
algorithm
established
benchmarks,
such
as
Forest,
Decision
Trees,
Gradient
Boosting,
AdaBoost,
Support
Vector
Machine.
evaluation
process
encompasses
meticulous
70–30
training–testing
split
main
data
set.
Performance
assessed
by
metrics,
including
ROC
statistical
errors.
primary
set
distinct
categories,
household
wastes,
hospital
clinics
unknown-originated
susceptible
waste
which
categorized
Infected
items,
PPEs,
SUPs,
Test
kits,
Medical
packages,
Unknown-originated
mircoplastic
waste.
Deliberately,
this
was
partitioned
training
testing
subsets,
ensuring
robustness
reliability
subsequent
analyses.
Approximately
70%
database
allocated
to
set,
remaining
30%
constituting
findings
underscore
proposed
algorithm's
supremacy,
boasting
an
impressive
AUC
=
0.941.
exceptional
score
reflects
model's
precision
categorizing
microplastics.
These
results
have
profound
implications
for
management
pandemics.
positions
model
potent
tool
prediction,
encouraging
further
refine
models
tap
new
sources
more
comprehensive
understanding
dynamics
urban
settings.
Heliyon,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
9(10), P. e20440 - e20440
Published: Sept. 26, 2023
Microplastics,
measuring
less
than
5
mm
in
diameter,
are
now
found
various
environmental
media,
including
soil,
water,
and
air,
have
infiltrated
the
food
chain,
ultimately
becoming
a
part
of
human
diet.
This
study
offers
comprehensive
examination
intricate
nexus
between
microplastics
health,
thereby
contributing
to
existing
knowledge
on
subject.
Sources
microplastics,
microfibers
from
textiles,
personal
care
products,
wastewater
treatment
plants,
among
others,
were
assessed.
The
meticulously
examined
diverse
routes
microplastic
exposure—ingestion,
inhalation,
dermal
contact—offering
insights
into
associated
health
risks.
Notably,
ingestion
has
been
linked
gastrointestinal
disturbances,
endocrine
disruption,
potential
transmission
pathogenic
bacteria.
Inhalation
airborne
emerges
as
critical
concern,
with
possible
implications
for
respiratory
cardiovascular
health.
Dermal
contact,
although
explored,
raises
prospect
skin
irritation
allergic
reactions.
impacts
COVID-19
pollution
also
highlighted.
Throughout
manuscript,
need
deeper
mechanistic
understanding
interactions
systems
is
emphasized,
underscoring
urgency
further
research
public
awareness.
Despite
the
great
promise
in
development
of
biodegradable
and
ecofriendly
air
filters
by
electrospinning
poly(lactic
acid)
(PLA)
nanofibrous
membranes
(NFMs),
as-electrospun
PLA
nanofibers
are
generally
characterized
poor
electroactivity
smooth
surface,
challenging
exploitation
electrostatic
adsorption
physical
interception
that
need
for
efficient
removal
pathogens
particulate
matters
(PMs).
Herein,
a
combined
"electrospinning–electrospray"
strategy
was
disclosed
to
functionalize
direct
anchoring
highly
dielectric
BaTiO3@ZIF-8
nanohybrids
(BTO@ZIF-8),
conferring
simultaneous
promotion
surface
roughness,
electret
properties
(surface
potential
as
high
7.5
kV),
self-charging
capability
(∼190%
increase
tribo-output
voltage
compared
pure
PLA).
Benefiting
from
well-tailored
morphology
increased
electroactivity,
electrospun–electrosprayed
PLA/BTO@ZIF-8
exhibited
excellent
PM-capturing
performance
(up
96.54%
PM0.3
99.49%
PM2.5)
while
providing
desirable
resistance
(only
87
Pa
at
32
L/min)
due
primarily
slip
flow
molecules
over
nanohybrid
protrusions.
This
accompanied
antibacterial
(99.9%
inhibition
against
both
Staphylococcus
aureus
Escherichia
coli),
arising
presumably
synergistic
effects
enhanced
reactive
oxygen
species
(ROS)
generation,
plentiful
ion
release,
charges.
Our
proposed
opens
up
pathways
afford
exceptional
combination
high-efficiency
low-resistance
filtration,
performance,
mechanical
robustness
without
sacrificing
biodegradation
profiles
NFMs,
holding
implications
long-term
healthcare.
Polymers,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(8), P. 1162 - 1162
Published: April 20, 2024
Nitrile
gloves
have
become
a
significant
environmental
pollutant
after
the
COVID-19
pandemic
due
to
their
single-use
design.
This
study
examines
capability
of
P.
aeruginosa
use
nitrile
as
its
sole
carbon
energy
source.
Biodegradation
was
determined
by
adapting
increasing
glove
concentrations
at
1%,
3%,
and
5%
(w/v).
The
growth
kinetics
were
evaluated,
well
polymer
weight
loss.
Topographic
changes
on
surfaces
examined
using
SEM,
FT-IR
used
evaluate
biodegradation
products
gloves.
Following
establishment
biofilm
surface,
toxicity
minimized
via
biodegradation.
result
average
loss
2.25%.
analysis
revealed
presence
aldehydes
aliphatic
amines
associated
with
SEM
showed
immersed
in
EPS
matrix,
causing
formation
cracks,
scales,
protrusions,
semi-spherical
particles.
We
conclude
that
has
source,
even
up
5%,
through
formation,
demonstrating
potential
for
degradation
