Characterizing microplastic size and morphology of photodegraded polymers placed in simulated moving water conditions

Hebner, Tayler S.; Maurer-Jones, Melissa A.

doi:10.1039/c9em00475k

Cited by 87 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…With time, the plastics can also break into small pieces, i.e., microplastics (< 5 mm) under environmental conditions (like UV radiation, wind velocity, sunlight). Such micro/nano-polymeric particles, directly and/or indirectly, are consumed by living organisms and thus are a subject of immense concern for global food safety (Hebner and Maurer-Jones 2020 ). Currently, plastic-based PPE like face masks and gloves is the major source of microplastic fibers in the environment.…”

Section: Potential Environmental Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

From outbreak of COVID-19 to launching of vaccination drive: invigorating single-use plastics, mitigation strategies, and way forward

Das

Sharma

Saha

et al. 2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Graphical abstract The unforeseen outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has significantly stipulated the use of plastics to minimize the exposure and spread of the novel coronavirus. With the onset of the vaccination drive, the issue draws even more attention due to additional demand for vaccine packaging, transport, disposable syringes, and other allied devices scaling up to many million tonnes of plastic. Plastic materials in personal protective equipment (PPE), disposable pharmaceutical devices, and packaging for e-commerce facilities are perceived to be a lifesaver for the frontline healthcare personnel and the general public amidst recurring waves of the pandemic. However, the same material poses a threat as an evil environmental polluter when attributed to its indiscriminate and improper littering as well as mismanagement. The review not only highlights the environmental consequences due to the excessive use of disposable plastics amidst COVID-19 but also recommends mixed approaches to its management by adopting the combined and step-by-step methodology of adequate segregation, sterilization, sanitization activities, technological intervention, and process optimization measures. The overview finally concludes with some crucial way-forward measures and recommendations like the development of bioplastics and focusing on biodegradable/bio-compostable material alternatives to holistically deal with future pandemics.

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Section: Potential Environmental Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

From outbreak of COVID-19 to launching of vaccination drive: invigorating single-use plastics, mitigation strategies, and way forward

Das

Sharma

Saha

et al. 2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Hebner and Maurer-Jones (2020) exposed PP, PE, and PET films to artificial oceanic conditions and investigated the particle production [155]. They showed that the most abundant particle shape deriving from those films were fibres; PP produced the most particles, followed by PE and PET [155]. Weinstein et al, 2016, who investigated the degradation behaviours of PE-HD, PP, and PS film strips a few years prior, did not observe a significant difference between the amount of fibres and fragments derived from PP, whereas PE-HD and PS produced more fragments than fibres [156].…”

Section: Characterisation: Particle Shapementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sampling Separation Identification and Characterisation Of Collected Microplastic Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review

2021

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Microplastic particles (MPs) pose a novel threat to nature. Despite being first noticed in the 1970s, research on this topic has only surged in recent years. Researchers have mainly focused on environmental plastic particles; however, studies with defined microplastic particles as the sample input are scarce. Furthermore, comparison of those studies indicates a discrepancy between the particles found (e.g., in the environment) and those used for further research (e.g., exposure studies). Obviously, it is important to use particles that resemble those found in the environment to conduct appropriate research. In this review, different categories of microplastic particles are addressed, before covering an overview of the most common separation and analysis methods for environmental MPs is covered. After showing that the particles found in the environment are mostly irregular and polydisperse, while those used in studies with plastic microparticles as samples are often not, different particle production techniques are investigated and suggestions for preparing realistic plastic particles are given.

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“…and break up into small pieces during the degradation processes. [10][11][12] Recently, the interest towards microplastics (synthetic polymer particles less than 5 mm) has been growing among the public due to their widespread discovery from Arctic to the tropics and from Mount Everest to deep ocean floors. [13][14][15][16][17] Microplastics are classified into primary source that originally manufactured to small size and secondary source when fragmented from larger plastic items.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluorescent Tagging of Polymer Particles with PBN for the Detection of Microplastics in Personal Care Goods

Lee¹,

Lee²,

Lee³

2021

J Korean Soc Environ Eng

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Objectives : Plastic pollution has been aggravated due to the massive use of disposable products and single-use face masks since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. There is growing interest regarding detection and identification of plastic pollution in daily life. The aim of this study is (1) to investigate suitability of a fluorescent labelling method for the detection of polymers, (2) to detect microplastics in personal care goods, and (3) to identify the detected plastic particles.Methods : In order to detect plastic particles in real samples, a 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester (PBN) fluorophore was used as a dye for staining plastic particles. First, the capability of PBN was evaluated by staining a model polymer of polyethylene (PE) particles, and its desorption and photobleaching was also investigated. Using the optimum staining condition, microplastics were detected in a laboratory-controlled sample and commercially available products, specifically in cleansers, scrubs, and toothpastes. Finally, the detected microplastics were identified using an attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) analysis.Results and Discussion : The PE particles fluoresced blue light after being stained with PBN at a concentration of 100 μg/mL for 3-5 min without post treatments (e.g., fixation and drying), but the particles should be detected within 24 h due to the photobleaching of PBN. The desorption of PBN fluorophore occurred when the stained PE particles were washed with 25% acetone rather than rinse-off with deionized (DI) water. All of the tested personal care goods contained plastic particles and various sizes and shapes (e.g., spherical, rounded, and irregular shapes) of particles were found in different types and brands of products. The detected particles were identified as PE, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers.Conclusions : The PBN was shown to effectively stain polymer particles and it allowed visual identification of microplastics in personal care goods. Various types and sizes of polymers were included into the commercially available products as ingredients, indicating a primary source of plastic pollution in aquatic environment.

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Characterizing microplastic size and morphology of photodegraded polymers placed in simulated moving water conditions

Abstract: Aquatic plastic debris experiences environmental stressors that lead to breakdown into smaller micro-sized plastic particles.

Cited by 87 publications

References 52 publications

From outbreak of COVID-19 to launching of vaccination drive: invigorating single-use plastics, mitigation strategies, and way forward

From outbreak of COVID-19 to launching of vaccination drive: invigorating single-use plastics, mitigation strategies, and way forward

Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review

Fluorescent Tagging of Polymer Particles with PBN for the Detection of Microplastics in Personal Care Goods

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