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Kek HY, Tan H, Othman MHD, Lee CT, Ahmad FBJ, Ismail ND, Nyakuma BB, Lee KQ, Wong KY. Transforming pollution into solutions: A bibliometric analysis and sustainable strategies for reducing indoor microplastics while converting to value-added products. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118928. [PMID: 38636646 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118928] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), as emerging indoor contaminants, have garnered attention due to their ubiquity and unresolved implications for human health. These tiny particles have permeated indoor air and water, leading to inevitable human exposure. Preliminary evidence suggests MP exposure could be linked to respiratory, gastrointestinal, and potentially other health issues, yet the full scope of their effects remains unclear. To map the overall landscape of this research field, a bibliometric analysis based on research articles retrieved from the Web of Science database was conducted. The study synthesizes the current state of knowledge and spotlights the innovative mitigation strategies proposed to curb indoor MP pollution. These strategies involve minimizing the MP emission from source, advancements in filtration technology, aimed at reducing the MP exposure. Furthermore, this research sheds light on cutting-edge methods for converting MP waste into value-added products. These innovative approaches not only promise to alleviate environmental burdens but also contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy by transforming waste into resources such as biofuels, construction materials, and batteries. Despite these strides, this study acknowledges the ongoing challenges, including the need for more efficient removal technologies and a deeper understanding of MPs' health impacts. Looking forward, the study underscores the necessity for further research to fill these knowledge gaps, particularly in the areas of long-term health outcomes and the development of standardized, reliable methodologies for MP detection and quantification in indoor settings. This comprehensive approach paves the way for future exploration and the development of robust solutions to the complex issue of microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yee Kek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Huiyi Tan
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Chew Tin Lee
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Nur Dayana Ismail
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 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
| | - Kee Quen Lee
- Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
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Haleem N, Kumar P, Zhang C, Jamal Y, Hua G, Yao B, Yang X. Microplastics and associated chemicals in drinking water: A review of their occurrence and human health implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169594. [PMID: 38154642 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169594] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have entered drinking water (DW) via various pathways, raising concerns about their potential health impacts. This study provides a comprehensive review of MP-associated chemicals, such as oligomers, plasticizers, stabilizers, and ultraviolet (UV) filters that can be leached out during DW treatment and distribution. The leaching of these chemicals is influenced by various environmental and operating factors, with three major ones identified: MP concentration and polymer type, pH, and contact time. The leaching process is substantially enhanced during the disinfection step of DW treatment, due to ultraviolet light and/or disinfectant-triggered reactions. The study also reviewed human exposure to MPs and associated chemicals in DW, as well as their health impacts on the human nervous, digestive, reproductive, and hepatic systems, especially the neuroendocrine toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. An overview of MPs in DW, including tap water and bottled water, was also presented to enable a background understanding of MPs-associated chemicals. In short, certain chemicals leached from MPs in DW can have significant implications for human health and demand further research on their long-term health impacts, mitigation strategies, and interactions with other pollutants such as disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This study is anticipated to facilitate the research and management of MPs in DW and beverages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Haleem
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Yousuf Jamal
- Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Guanghui Hua
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Bin Yao
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Xufei Yang
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
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Weingrill RB, Lee MJ, Benny P, Riel J, Saiki K, Garcia J, de Magalhaes Oliveira LFA, da Silva Fonseca EJ, de Souza ST, de Oliveira Silva D’Amato F, Silva UR, Dutra ML, Marques ALX, Borbely AU, Urschitz J. Temporal trends in microplastic accumulation in placentas from pregnancies in Hawai'i. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108220. [PMID: 37741006 PMCID: PMC10593309 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are created for commercial use, are shed from textiles, or result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Recent reports have shown that microplastics accumulate in human tissues and may have adverse health consequences. Currently, there are no standardized environmental monitoring systems to track microplastic accumulation within human tissues. Using Raman spectroscopy, we investigated the temporal exposures to plastic pollution in Hawai'i and noted a significant increase in the accumulation of microplastics in discarded placentas over the past 15 years, with changes in the size and chemical composition of the polymers. These findings provide a rare insight into the vulnerability and sensitivity of Pacific Island residents to plastic pollution and illustrate how discarded human tissues can be used as an innovative environmental plastic pollution monitoring system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Barbano Weingrill
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Men-Jean Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Paula Benny
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Jonathan Riel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Kevin Saiki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Jacob Garcia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ueslen Rocha Silva
- Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Mariana Lima Dutra
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus A.C. Simões, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Aldilane Lays Xavier Marques
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus A.C. Simões, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Urban Borbely
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus A.C. Simões, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Râpă M, Darie-Niță RN, Matei E, Predescu AM, Berbecaru AC, Predescu C. Insights into Anthropogenic Micro- and Nanoplastic Accumulation in Drinking Water Sources and Their Potential Effects on Human Health. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15112425. [PMID: 37299225 DOI: 10.3390/polym15112425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous pollutants found in aquatic, food, soil and air environments. Recently, drinking water for human consumption has been considered a significant pathway for ingestion of such plastic pollutants. Most of the analytical methods developed for detection and identification of MPs have been established for particles with sizes > 10 μm, but new analytical approaches are required to identify NPs below 1 μm. This review aims to evaluate the most recent information on the release of MPs and NPs in water sources intended for human consumption, specifically tap water and commercial bottled water. The potential effects on human health of dermal exposure, inhalation, and ingestion of these particles were examined. Emerging technologies used to remove MPs and/or NPs from drinking water sources and their advantages and limitations were also assessed. The main findings showed that the MPs with sizes > 10 μm were completely removed from drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). The smallest NP identified using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS) had a diameter of 58 nm. Contamination with MPs/NPs can occur during the distribution of tap water to consumers, as well as when opening and closing screw caps of bottled water or when using recycled plastic or glass bottles for drinking water. In conclusion, this comprehensive study emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to detect MPs and NPs in drinking water, as well as raising the awareness of regulators, policymakers and the public about the impact of these pollutants, which pose a human health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Râpă
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raluca Nicoleta Darie-Niță
- Physical Chemistry of Polymers Department, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ecaterina Matei
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andra-Mihaela Predescu
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andrei-Constantin Berbecaru
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Predescu
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
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