Microplastics removal strategies: A step toward finding the solution

Archives of Environmental Protection

“…In addition, airborne MPs that have been emitted by the plastics industry and vehicles also enter WWTPs (Mintenig et al 2017). WWTPs are therefore considered the main recipients of terrestrial MPs before they enter natural aquatic systems (Badola et al 2022, Sun et al 2019. It has been proven that untreated MPs are commonly discharged from WWTPs, enter water bodies, and eventually accumulate in the environment (Carr et al 2016, Nocon et al 2018.…”

“…Research on the occurrence and fate of microplastics (MPs) in the aquatic environment has been gaining momentum worldwide, especially in the last decade (Andrady 2011, Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012, Mrowiec 2017, and has considered the increase in plastic production and the consequent risk of MPs contaminating our environment. Global plastic production is over 380 million tons per year, while recycling rates are much less than the plastic waste generated, accounting for only 9% of all discarded plastic waste (Badola et al 2022, Lv et al 2019, Mrowiec 2018, Padervand et al 2020. Plastics are used primarily in packaging production (40.5%), civil engineering and construction (20.4%), automotive needs (8.8%).…”

“…MPs can be discharged into the environment from the plastic industries, such as through leakages and accidents during transportation, wear of plastic items, use of personal care products such as toothpaste, dishwashing liquid and shower gel (Magni et al 2019), and from synthetic textiles during the laundry process (Napper and Thompson 2016). MPs dumped into various surface water sources and found in municipal wastewater commonly originate from the aforementioned sources (Badola et al 2022), and they are then discharged into wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (Durenkamp et al 2016) through multiple pathways.…”

Microplastics in freshly fallen snow: How may it adversely impact human health and exacerbate the COVID-19 crisis?

“…Since 34.8% of microplastic waste is estimated to come from fabrics [ 16 ], implementing these suggestions will significantly reduce the overall load of primary MPs on the environment. Microbeads, another significant source of microplastics found in toiletries and makeup products have been banned in Canada, the UK, Ireland and the USA [ 17 ]. Single-use plastics which produce secondary MPs have also been banned in several countries including the UK, European Union, Canada, and Costa Rica.…”

“…Single-use plastics which produce secondary MPs have also been banned in several countries including the UK, European Union, Canada, and Costa Rica. Since these bans have successfully reduced the production of microplastics [ 17 ], they should be placed on a global scale to eliminate these large contributors of microplastic waste. Also, adaptation strategies can be globally implemented to help reduce the impact of airborne MPs on the respiratory health of humans.…”