Micro- and Nano-Plastics in Drinking Water: Threat or Hype? Critical State-of-the-Art Analysis of Risks and Approaches DOI Creative Commons
Andrea G. Capodaglio

Journal of Xenobiotics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 85 - 85

Published: June 3, 2025

Microplastic (MP) contamination affects all environmental media, even in remote, unpopulated regions of the globe. Many studies have addressed this issue under various aspects; however, actual and definitive evidence that MPs are a cause human health risk conditions has not been provided. MP decomposition generates smaller nanoplastics (NPs) with different properties, closer to engineered nanoparticles than MP. Their detection is more complex laborious MP’s, and, as such, their fate effects still poorly studied. Advanced technologies remove MP/NPs from supply water being investigated, but current indicates conventional drinking treatment facilities efficiently major part MPs, at least far sizes greater 20 µm. Notwithstanding recent developments MP/NP classification techniques, moment, very few specifically address NPs, which, therefore, deserve targeted investigation. This paper addresses NPs water, examining literature on presence state-of-the-art assessment toxicology. The also critically overviews for removal discusses present knowledge gap possible approaches widespread issue.

Language: Английский

Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production DOI

Nihan Karalı,

Nina Khanna, Nihar Shah

et al.

Published: April 17, 2024

Plastics show the strongest production growth of all bulk materials over last decade. The industry's current trajectory is exponential and plastic expected to double or triple by 2050. rapidly increasing plastics continued reliance on fossil fuels for production, have contributed numerous environmental problems health harms. As a result, pollution has become an threat natural ecosystems, human climate. However, there lack granularity contribution primary specifically greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions their impact remaining global carbon budget needed stay below 1.5°C 2°C average temperature rise. In this report, we explore climate change disaggregated polymer technology. To end, developed comprehensive bottom-up modeling GHG from with special focus value chains. We analyzed results under various scenarios in context budgets compatible trajectory. Modeling includes material flows stages, processes technologies used chains, including extraction required shaping final product. nine major types fuel-based polymers that are produced consumed large quantities: three polyethylene (PE) – low-density (LDPE), linear (LLDPE), high-density (HDPE) as well polypropylene (PP); terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polystyrene (PS) other key styrene-based such styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) butadiene (ABS), polyurethane (PU). Together these account about 80% production. Our estimates generated 2.24 gigatonnes dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) 2019, representing 5.3% total (excluding, agriculture LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change Forestry)). Emissions combustion process heat electricity non-combustion processes. Approximately 22%, 21%, 15% related 2019 come PEs together, PET, PP, respectively. Other plastics, i.e., PVC, PS, SAN, ABS, PU responsible around 23% Most (~75%) occur steps prior polymerization. Under conservative scenario (2.5%/yr), would more than 4.75 GtCO2e 2050, accounting 21-26% keep increases 1.5°C. At 4%/yr growth, increase times 6.78 GtCO2e, 25-31% limiting warming Such detailed individual polymers, where chain stages fully taken into account, can provide sound technically neutral scientific foundation inform treaty enable stronger coordination treaties (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention Climate (UNFCCC). also critical understand impacts proposed mitigation measures treaty, most either polymer-specific different implications per polymer.

Language: Английский

Citations

12
Complexities of the global plastics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis DOI Creative Commons
Khaoula Houssini, Jinhui Li, Quanyin Tan

et al.

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: April 10, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Polyethylene packaging and alternative materials in the United States: A life cycle assessment DOI Creative Commons

Elizabeth Avery,

Experience Nduagu,

Eric Vozzola

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 178359 - 178359

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

A comprehensive life cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of polyethylene (PE) packaging and its alternatives, including paper, glass, aluminum, steel in United States. The focuses on five major applications: collation shrink films, stretch films for pallet wraps, heavy-duty sacks, non-food bottles, flexible food pouches. study compares PE alternative materials based following impact categories: global warming (GWP), fossil energy use, mineral resource water scarcity. research integrates sales volume estimates each application, examining substitution ratios PE-based GWP decrease capabilities using as material. findings reveal that substituting other can lead an average emissions approximately 70 %. This significant highlights benefits context solutions We also provide a detailed analysis trade-offs associated with alternatives. insights gained from this are intended assist stakeholders policymakers making informed decisions balance mitigation maintaining product functionality achieving sustainability objectives.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Filling the Gaps: Tracing 12 Types of Non-commodity Plastics in China’s Plastic Socioeconomic Metabolism DOI

Yucheng Ren,

H.N. Zhu,

Meng Jiang

et al.

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 10, 2025

Recent plastic flow research has largely focused on commodity plastics (PE, PP, PVC, PS, ABS), yet a sizable share of other polymer types remains understudied. These non-commodity suffer from inconsistent definitions, complex classifications, and data gaps, which hinder accurate assessment their production, use, end-of-life management. This study develops dynamic material analysis to investigate 12 key "non-commodity" in China─including PET, PU, seven engineering plastics, three thermosetting plastics─and addresses these knowledge gaps. Our results show that 2022, China produces approximately 85 million tonnes polymers, volume comparable with 35% used products the remainder non-plastic applications (e.g., fibers, rubber). PET is predominantly employed short-lifespan packaging, whereas find use longer-lifespan applications, underscoring need for targeted recycling strategies─particularly chemical PU thermoset products. Revisiting scope "plastics" using scientific criteria can help mitigate definitional ambiguities guide more effective policymaking. By improving availability tracking this underexplored category, our lays groundwork assessments interventions reduce pollution.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Can biochar fillers advance the properties of composites? Early-stage characterization and life cycle assessment of novel polyamide/biochar biocomposites DOI
Hossein Baniasadi, Laura Äkräs,

Zoe Paganelli

et al.

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 121446 - 121446

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Transforming pollution into solutions: A bibliometric analysis and sustainable strategies for reducing indoor microplastics while converting to value-added products DOI
Hong Yee Kek, Huiyi Tan, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman

et al.

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 252, P. 118928 - 118928

Published: April 16, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Mapping Plastic and Plastic Additive Cycles in Coastal Countries: A Norwegian Case Study DOI Creative Commons
Ahmed Marhoon, Miguel Las Heras Hernández, Romain G. Billy

et al.

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 58(19), P. 8336 - 8348

Published: May 4, 2024

The growing environmental consequences caused by plastic pollution highlight the need for a better understanding of polymer cycles and their associated additives. We present novel, comprehensive top-down method using inflow-driven dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis (DPMFA) to map cycle in coastal countries. For first time, we covered progressive leaching microplastics environment during use phase products modeled presence 232 applied this methodology Norway proposed initial release pathways different compartments. 758 kt plastics distributed among 13 polymers was introduced Norwegian economy 2020, 4.4 Mt in-use stocks, 632 wasted, which 15.2 (2.4%) released with similar share macro- 4.8 ended up ocean. Our study shows tire wear rubber as highly pollutive microplastic source, while most macroplastics originated from consumer packaging LDPE, PP, PET dominant polymers. Additionally, 75 additives potentially alongside these emphasize that upstream measures, such consumption reduction changes product design, would result positive impact limiting pollution.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Carbon Recycling of High Value Bioplastics: A Route to a Zero-Waste Future DOI Open Access
Matthew J. Keith, Martin Koller, Maximilian Lackner

et al.

Polymers, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(12), P. 1621 - 1621

Published: June 7, 2024

Today, 98% of all plastics are fossil-based and non-biodegradable, globally, only 9% recycled. Microplastic nanoplastic pollution is just beginning to be understood. As the global demand for sustainable alternatives conventional continues rise, biobased biodegradable have emerged as a promising solution. This review article delves into pivotal concept carbon recycling pathway towards achieving zero-waste future through production utilization high-value bioplastics. The comprehensively explores current state bioplastics (biobased and/or materials), emphasizing importance carbon-neutral circular approaches in their lifecycle. chiefly used low-value applications, such packaging single-use items. sheds light on value-added like longer-lasting components products, demanding properties, which increasingly being deployed. Based waste hierarchy paradigm—reduce, reuse, recycle—different use cases end-of-life scenarios materials will described, including technological options recycling, from mechanical chemical methods. A special emphasis common bioplastics—TPS, PLA, PHAs—as well discussion composites, provided. While it acknowledged that (waste) crisis stems largely mismanagement, needs stated radical solution must come core material side, intrinsic properties polymers formulations. manner cascaded bioplastics, labeling, legislation, technologies, consumer awareness can contribute topics this article.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production DOI

Nihan Karalı,

Nina Khanna, Nihar Shah

et al.

Published: April 12, 2024

Plastics show the strongest production growth of all bulk materials over last decade. The industry's current trajectory is exponential and plastic expected to double or triple by 2050. rapidly increasing plastics continued reliance on fossil fuels for production, have contributed numerous environmental problems health harms. As a result, pollution has become an threat natural ecosystems, human climate. However, there lack granularity contribution primary specifically greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions their impact remaining global carbon budget needed stay below 1.5°C 2°C average temperature rise. In this report, we explore climate change disaggregated polymer technology. To end, developed comprehensive bottom-up modeling GHG from with special focus value chains. We analyzed results under various scenarios in context budgets compatible trajectory. Modeling includes material flows stages, processes technologies used chains, including extraction required shaping final product. nine major types fuel-based polymers that are produced consumed large quantities: three polyethylene (PE) – low-density (LDPE), linear (LLDPE), high-density (HDPE) as well polypropylene (PP); terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polystyrene (PS) other key styrene-based such styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) butadiene (ABS), polyurethane (PU). Together these account about 80% production. Our estimates generated 2.24 gigatonnes dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) 2019, representing 5.3% total (excluding, agriculture LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change Forestry)). Emissions combustion process heat electricity non-combustion processes. Approximately 22%, 21%, 15% related 2019 come PEs together, PET, PP, respectively. Other plastics, i.e., PVC, PS, SAN, ABS, PU responsible around 23% Most (~75%) occur steps prior polymerization. Under conservative scenario (2.5%/yr), would more than 4.75 GtCO2e 2050, accounting 21-26% keep increases 1.5°C. At 4%/yr growth, increase times 6.78 GtCO2e, 25-31% limiting warming Such detailed individual polymers, where chain stages fully taken into account, can provide sound technically neutral scientific foundation inform treaty enable stronger coordination treaties (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention Climate (UNFCCC). also critical understand impacts proposed mitigation measures treaty, most either polymer-specific different implications per polymer.

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Polymer composites with carbon nanotubes made from CO2 DOI Creative Commons

Gad Licht,

Kyle Hofstetter,

Stuart Licht

et al.

RSC Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(9), P. 2496 - 2504

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Carbanogel, made from CO 2 , is used to make new sustainable plastics.

Language: Английский

Citations

3