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Kek HY, Tan H, Othman MHD, Nyakuma BB, Ho WS, Sheng DDCV, Kang HS, Chan YT, Lim NHAS, Leng PC, Wahab NHA, Wong KY. Critical review on airborne microplastics: An indoor air contaminant of emerging concern. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 245:118055. [PMID: 38154562 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Airborne Microplastics (MPs), an emerging environmental issue, have gained recent attention due to their newfound presence in indoor environments. Utilizing the Web of Science database for literature collection, the paper presents a comprehensive review of airborne MPs including emission sources, assessment methods, exposure risks, and mitigation strategies. This review delves into the diverse sources and mechanisms influencing indoor airborne MP pollution, underscoring the complex interplay between human activities, ventilation systems, and the characteristics of indoor environments. Major sources include the abrasion of synthetic textiles and the deterioration of flooring materials, with factors like carpeting, airflow, and ventilation significantly impacting MP levels. Human activities, such as increased movement in indoor spaces and the intensive use of plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPE) post-pandemic, notably elevate indoor MP concentrations. The potential health impacts of airborne MPs are increasingly concerning, with evidence suggesting their role in respiratory, immune, and nervous system diseases. Despite this, there is a scarcity of information on MPs in diverse indoor environments and the inhalation risks associated with the frequent use of PPE. This review also stresses the importance of developing effective strategies to reduce MP emissions, such as employing HEPA-filtered vacuums, minimizing the use of synthetic textiles, and enhancing indoor ventilation. Several future research directions were proposed, including detailed temporal analyses of indoor MP levels, interactions of MP with other atmospheric pollutants, the transport dynamics of inhalable MPs (≤10 μm), and comprehensive human exposure risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yee Kek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Huiyi Tan
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Computing, Pen Resource University, P. M. B. 086, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
| | - Wai Shin Ho
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Hooi Siang Kang
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; Marine Technology Centre, Institute for Vehicle System & Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Yoon Tung Chan
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Pau Chung Leng
- Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
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Xu T, Cui J, Xu R, Cao J, Guo MY. Microplastics induced inflammation and apoptosis via ferroptosis and the NF-κB pathway in carp. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 262:106659. [PMID: 37586228 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), a new class of pollutant that threatens aquatic biodiversity, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Fish growth may be severely inhibited by microplastics, resulting in severe mortality. Exposure to microplastics increases the likelihood of intestinal injuries, but the underlying mechanisms remain equivocal. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential toxic mechanisms underlying microplastic-induced intestinal injury in fish and to assist researchers in identifying novel therapeutic targets. In this study, a model of carp exposed to microplastics was established successfully. Histological observation showed that exposure to polyethylene microplastics caused damage to the intestinal mucosal surface and a significant increase in goblet cells, which aggregated on the surface of the mucosa. The mucosal layer was observed to fall off. Lymphocytes in the intestinal wall proliferated and aggregated. TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis occurred in the group exposed to microplastics. The qPCR results showed that the expression of Ferroptosis apoptotic factors COX-2 and ACSL4 was upregulated, while the expression of TFRC, FIH1, SLC7A11, and GPX4 was downregulated. The NF-κB pathway (p-p65, IκBα), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6) and apoptosis genes (Bax, Caspase3) were upregulated. Semi-quantitative detection of related proteins by Western blotting was consistent with the gene expression results. In addition, the ELISA assay showed that lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were increased in the microplastic exposed group. To conclude, lipid peroxidation induced by microplastics activates the NF-κB pathway and causes ferroptosis, ultimately resulting in intestinal damage and cellular apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchao Xu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Ran Xu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jingwen Cao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Meng-Yao Guo
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
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Jiang H, Chen X, Dai Y. The carrier effect mechanism of butachlor in water by three typical microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:99232-99246. [PMID: 36112288 PMCID: PMC9483429 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Butachlor (BUT) is a widely used herbicide that can cause environmental problems when used excessively. BUT has been found to exist in large quantities in the water environment so far. As an agricultural pre-emergent herbicide, BUT can enter the water environment through multiple channels and cause pollution. This study investigated the mechanism of three types of microplastics (MPs): polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to remove BUT from water. The adsorption behavior between MPs and BUT under different factors, namely pH, salt ion concentration, and aging, was investigated. This study further investigated the desorption and aging of BUT-adsorbed MPs. In this research, the adsorption capacity of BUT by PE, PP, and PVC are 13.65 μg/g, 14.82 μg/g, and 18.88 μg/g, respectively, and the order of carrier effect was: PVC>PP>PE. Experiments show that MPs have low adsorption performance on the microgram level for BUT. The adsorption behavior of PE, PP, and PVC on BUT conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating the presence of physical and chemical adsorption. The Langmuir isotherm model fits well, indicating that the adsorption is a single-layer adsorption process. The pH value causes slight fluctuations in the overall carrier effect. Low concentration of salt ions can inhibit the carrier effect, and high concentration will promote the interaction between MPs and BUT. Aging experiments show that the carrier effect of the original materials was higher than the adsorption capacity of hydrogen peroxide and MPs after acid aging, and acid aging can cause the adsorption capacity to drop significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huating Jiang
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, No.600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Chenghai, Bureau of Social Insurance Fund Administration of Shantou City of Guangdong Province, Building B, Danxia Park, Taixing Road, Shantou, 515000, Chenghai District, China
| | - Yingjie Dai
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, No.600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150030, China.
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Alalawi S, Issa ST, Takshe AA, ElBarazi I. A review of the environmental implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates. ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 8:100561. [PMID: 36699969 PMCID: PMC9164511 DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2022.100561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews the environmental implications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at the individual and community levels in the UAE. The positive effects emanating from the pandemic include improved air quality and reduced contamination of public spaces with pollutants. On the other hand, far-reaching negative effects include poor disposal of medical plastic waste and facemasks and the rise in unhygienic health practices amongst residents of UAE. The long-term ecological implications of the pandemic are still not well understood. The findings shed the light on the importance of addressing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic through preventative policies and strategies for better environmental health and readiness for future crises. Future research could assess the long-term environmental conse-quences of the pandemic on the UAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaikha Alalawi
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Sahar T Issa
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Canadian University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
| | - Aseel A Takshe
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Canadian University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
| | - Iffat ElBarazi
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
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Liu Z, Liu Z, Wu L, Li Y, Wang J, Wei H, Zhang J. Effect of polyethylene microplastics and acid rain on the agricultural soil ecosystem in Southern China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119094. [PMID: 35245624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The increasing microplastics (MPs) pollution and continuous acid rain coincide in many areas of the world. However, how MPs interact with acid rain is still unclear. Herein, we conducted a microcosm experiment to decipher the combined effect of polyethylene (PE) MPs (1%, 5%, and 10%) and acid rain (pH 4.0) on the agricultural soil ecosystem of Southern China, in which edaphic property, microbial community, enzymatic activity and CO2 emission were investigated. The results showed that PE MPs significantly decreased soil water retention and nitrate nitrogen content regardless of acid rain. Soil total nitrogen significantly decreased under the co-exposure of 10% PE MPs and acid rain. However, PE MPs did not alter soil microbial biomass, i.e., the content of microbial biomass carbon, total phospholipid fatty acids, with or without acid rain. 10% PE MPs and acid rain treatment significantly increased the activity of catalase and soil CO2 emission. PE MPs addition did not affect the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil CO2 emission regardless of acid rain. These findings suggest that MPs may interact with acid rain to affect soil ecosystems, thus underscoring the necessity to consider the interaction between MPs and ambient environmental factors when exploring the impact of MPs on the soil biodiversity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhenxiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lizhu Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yazheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Hui Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jiaen Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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Naseer S, Wei Z, Aslam MS, Naseer S. A mini-review: positive impact of COVID-19 on Arial health and ecology. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:40520-40530. [PMID: 35349061 PMCID: PMC8961088 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19961-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 can cause global pandemics; however, no specific vaccine has been recommended for COVID-19. Nearly 216 countries are trying to stop the spread of the disease, recover from it, and improve its mobility. In a way that people have not experienced in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic affected humans through the year 2020. To stop the spread of the disease, many governments declared a complete lockdown.The nationwide lockdown had some positive effects on the environment even though it led to a decline in global economic growth. Air pollution levels reduced dramatically as a result of this lockdown on pollution. Most of Europe's populated cities saw a reduction in NO2 concentration of 45-54%. COVID-19 and air, water, and ecology are connected via two pathways, one occurring before the spread of the disease and the other following after. As a result of industrial activity, transportation, and high human density, pollutants were high in many areas before the disease spread. There was a reduction in population movements as well as a decline in human activities which resulted in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, an improvement of the ozone layer, as well as improvements in the Earth's weather and environment. As a result of a COVID-19 pandemic, human activities are negatively impacted, and the environment is positively affected. Our objective is to provide an assessment of the impact of human activities on the environment and ecology. During times of lockdown, there is a correlation between atmospheric changes and the behavior of natural creatures. Several significant findings are presented, including air pollution reduction, air quality improvement, ozone healing, and ecological sustainability. COVID-19 is beneficial for aerial health, aquatic health, and ecology in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Naseer
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Zhenggui Wei
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Muhammad Shamrooz Aslam
- School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Sciences, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, China
| | - Saira Naseer
- School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box, Nanjing, 210094 China
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