The triple exposure nexus of microplastic particles, plastic-associated chemicals, and environmental pollutants from a human health perspective

Environment International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 188, P. 108736 - 108736

Published: May 10, 2024

The presence of microplastics (MPs) is increasing at a dramatic rate globally, posing risks for exposure and subsequent potential adverse effects on human health. Apart from being physical objects, MP particles contain thousands plastic-associated chemicals (i.e., monomers, chemical additives, non-intentionally added substances) captured within the polymer matrix. These are often migrating MPs can be found in various environmental matrices food chains; health effects. In addition to attributes MPs, plastic surfaces effectively bind exogenous chemicals, including pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants). Therefore, act as vectors pollution across air, drinking water, food, further amplifying posed by exposure. Critically, fragmentation plastics environment increases risk interactions with cells, available leach adsorb transfer pollutants. This review proposes so-called triple nexus approach comprehensively map existing knowledge interconnected particles, Based data, there large gap regard cumulative nexus. Each component known induce genotoxicity, inflammation, endocrine disruption, but about long-term inter-individual lacking. Furthermore, not readily excreted organisms after ingestion they have been accumulated blood, cardiac tissue, placenta, etc. Even though number studies MPs-associated impacts rapidly, this underscores that pressing necessity achieve an integrated assessment MPs' order address future gaps.

Language: Английский

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Quantitative prediction of toxicological points of departure using two-stage machine learning models: A new approach methodology (NAM) for chemical risk assessment

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 487, P. 137071 - 137071

Published: Jan. 10, 2025

Language: Английский

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Degradation of biodegradable plastics in waste management systems and the open environment: A critical review

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 434, P. 140000 - 140000

Published: Dec. 2, 2023

Decades of extensive and exponentially growing production use conventional plastics have led to the accumulation plastic waste in environment, contributing anthropocene pressure on ecosystems. Bioplastics (defined as bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics) been promoted a more sustainable alternative substitute for plastics. Nonetheless, literature contains numerous conflicting conclusions regarding their suitability environmental implications. One central point contention concerns biodegradability conditions necessary proper degradation. In real-world settings, like anaerobic digestion plants or marine environments, may not degrade rapidly efficiently suggested by laboratory tests. A systematic review was conducted explore current level knowledge fate consequences plastics, thereby substantiating discussions future role society. The covered degradation management environments (e.g., compost, sludge, landfill) open environment seawater, freshwater, soil). As clearly highlighted this review, comparisons quantitative analysis data are challenged significant methodological variations, encompassing differences testing methods, test materials, quantification strategies. Moreover, revealed several research gaps, highlighting, particular, need i) intensify polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), succinate (PBS) match polylactic acid (PLA) starch-based ii) develop standard methods field conditions, iii) couple with ecotoxicological overview established is essential thorough evaluation performance Furthermore, findings study contribute supporting responsible various products, including assessing alternatives

Language: Английский

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Can bioplastics always offer a truly sustainable alternative to fossil‐based plastics?

Microbial Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Bioplastics, comprised of bio‐based and/or biodegradable polymers, have the potential to play a crucial role in transition towards sustainable circular economy. The use polymers not only leads reduced greenhouse gas emissions but also might address problem plastic waste persisting environment, especially when removal is challenging. Nevertheless, plastics should be considered as substitutes for proper management practices, given that their biodegradability strongly depends on environmental conditions. Among challenges hindering implementation bioplastics market, development effective downstream recycling routes imperative, increasing production volumes these materials. Here, we discuss about most advisable end‐of‐life scenarios bioplastics. Various strategies, including mechanical, chemical or biological (both enzymatic and microbial) approaches, considered. Employing enzymes biocatalysts emerges more selective environmentally friendly alternative recycling, allowing new added value high‐quality products. Other pending concerns industrial include misinformation among end users, lack standardised bioplastic labelling, unclear life cycle assessment guidelines need higher financial investments. Although further research efforts are essential foster widespread application bioplastics, significant strides already been made this direction.

Language: Английский

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Comprehensive Review of Innovative Materials for Sustainable Buildings’ Energy Performance

Energies, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(21), P. 7440 - 7440

Published: Nov. 3, 2023

The building sector, one of the most energy-consuming, is among current topics due to maturing concerns about anthropogenic factor’s impact on CO2 quantities in atmosphere and its association with global temperature rise. Using sustainable materials a promising alternative envelope applications improve in-use energy efficiency. These materials, having low environmental impact, advantage being renewable, embodied energy, contribute sustainability. This comprehensive literature review presents broad overview these materials’ hygrothermal characteristics, thermal performance, use. main goal compile important research findings capabilities for construction their contributions effects performance insulation.

Language: Английский

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Ecotoxicity of Biodegradable Microplastics and Bio-based Microplastics: A Review of in vitro and in vivo Studies

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 27, 2024

Language: Английский

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Marine degradation and ecotoxicity of conventional, recycled and compostable plastic bags

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 351, P. 124096 - 124096

Published: May 2, 2024

Plastic bags are currently a major component of marine litter, causing aesthetical nuisance, and undesirable effects on fauna that ingest them or entangled. litter also rises concern the ecotoxicological due to potential toxicity chemical additives leached in aquatic environments. Conventional plastic made polyethylene, either from first use recycled, but regulations restricting single-use plastics limiting lightweight carrier (<50 μm thickness) have fostered replacement thin PE by compostable materials advertised as safer for environment. In this study, we assess degradation commercially available conditions at two scales: aquariums (60 days) outdoors flow-through mesocosm (120 days). Strength break point other tensile strength parameters were used ecologically relevant endpoints track mechanical degradation. Ecotoxicity has been assessed along incubation period using sensitive Paracentrotus lividus embryo test. Whereas did not substantially lose their properties within 60 d aquarium exposures, showed remarkable weight loss decay, some fragmenting after 3-4 weeks. Sediment pore water inoculum promoted more rapid bags, while nutrient addition pattern affect rate. Longer-term mesocosms exposures supported these findings, well pointed out influence microbial processes efficiency compostable/bioplastic bags. Compostable materials, contrast toPE, moderate sea-urchin larvae, partially associated environmental implications findings remain be assessed. These methods proved useful classify according degradability conditions, remarkably shorter time than current standard tests promote new fauna.

Language: Английский

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Leachates from plastics and bioplastics reduce lifespan, decrease locomotion, and induce neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 357, P. 124428 - 124428

Published: June 22, 2024

Language: Английский

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Alternative plastic materials pose higher chemical hazard and aquatic ecotoxicity than conventional plastics

Aquatic Toxicology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 107360 - 107360

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Evaluation of the compostability and toxic effects on Hordeum vulgare and Cynodon dactylon plants of plastic bags manufactured with compostable plastics

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0318938 - e0318938

Published: March 25, 2025

Because of the problem related to accumulation plastic bags in environment, polymers called “bioplastics” have been developed. These materials are designed reintegrate quickly into reducing thus environmental damage. However, when testing disposable made with biopolymers using standardized methodologies, it has not possible observe that they satisfactorily meet criteria be considered compostable. The present study evaluated compliance compostability according international standards established by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) three certified compostable (BioW, Comph and Ecol) manufactured polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate, polylactic acid corn starch, performing chemical composition tests attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy inductively coupled plasma – optical emission (ICP-OES), disintegration, biodegradation ecotoxicity tests. results showed contain reported their data sheet possibly polyethylene. Likewise, all them comply maximum permissible limit metals. Ecol met disintegration criteria. No bag aerobic criterion, showing highest percentage (51%) lowest (3%). None had toxic effects on plants neither criterion necessary 100%

Language: Английский

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