Search Results (5)

Plastics are now ubiquitous in the environment, in this, the “Plasticene” era. Microplastics (MPs) and Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging contaminants of global concern. This systematic review, registered on PROSPERO and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, investigated the presence, distribution, and characteristics of MPs in tap water (TW) worldwide, and estimated the population’s Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) by age group, including pregnant women. A comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane identified 22,650 records, of which 8 studies were included. MPs were detected in treated water (TW) in the studies included in this review, although the currently available evidence remains limited. Calculated EDIs were highest in children aged 6 months to 3 years (up to 39 MPs/kg bw/day), followed by pregnant women (up to 14.96 MPs/kg bw/day), reflecting differences in water intake per body weight. These estimates must be interpreted as indicative, estimated by methodological variability among studies. The widespread presence of MPs in TW calls for standardized methods, improved treatments, and thorough monitoring to assess risks and protect public health. Full article

The rational design of superhydrophilic materials with a controllable structure is a critical component in various applications, including solar steam generation, liquid spontaneous transport, etc. The arbitrary manipulation of the 2D, 3D, and hierarchical structures of superhydrophilic substrates is highly desirable for smart liquid manipulation in both research and application fields. To design versatile superhydrophilic interfaces with various structures, here we introduce a hydrophilic plasticene that possesses high flexibility, deformability, water absorption, and crosslinking capabilities. Through a pattern-pressing process with a specific template, 2D prior fast spreading of liquids at speeds up to 600 mm/s was achieved on the superhydrophilic surface with designed channels. Additionally, 3D superhydrophilic structures can be facilely designed by combining the hydrophilic plasticene with a 3D-printed template. The assembly of 3D superhydrophilic microstructure arrays were explored, providing a promising route to facilitate the continuous and spontaneous liquid transport. The further modification of superhydrophilic 3D structures with pyrrole can promote the applications of solar steam generation. The optimal evaporation rate of an as-prepared superhydrophilic evaporator reached ~1.60 kg·m⁻²·h⁻¹ with a conversion efficiency of approximately 92.96%. Overall, we envision that the hydrophilic plasticene should satisfy a wide range of requirements for superhydrophilic structures and update our understanding of superhydrophilic materials in both fabrication and application. Full article

The research investigates the problems and maps the solutions to the serious threat that plastics pose to the oceans, food safety, and human health, with more than eight million tons of plastic debris dumped in the sea every year. The aim of this study is to explore how to better improve the regulatory process of ocean plastics by integrating scientific results, regulatory strategies and action plans so as to limit the impact of plastics at sea. Adopting a problem-solving approach and identifying four areas of intervention enable the establishment of a regulatory framework from a multi-actor, multi-issue, and multi-level perspective. The research methodology consists of a two-pronged approach: 1. An analysis of the state-of-the-art definition of plastics, micro-, and nanoplastics (respectively, MPs and NPs), and 2. The identification and discussion of loopholes in the current regulation, suggesting key actions to be taken at a global, regional and national level. In particular, the study proposes a systemic integration of scientific and regulatory advancements towards the construction of an interconnected multi-tiered (MT) plastic governance framework. The milestones reached by the project SECURE at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway provide evidence of the strength of the theory of integration and rights-based approaches. The suggested model holds substantial significance for the fields of environmental protection, food security, food safety, and human health. This proposed MT plastic governance framework allows for the holistic and effective organization of complex information and scenarios concerning plastics regulation. Containing a clear definition of plastics, grounded on the precautionary principle, the MT plastic framework should provide detailed mitigation measures, with a clear indication of rights and duties, and in coordination with an effective reparatory justice system. Full article

The distribution and abundance of microplastics into the world are so extensive that many scientists use them as key indicators of the recent and contemporary period defining a new historical epoch: The Plasticene. However, the implications of microplastics are not yet thoroughly understood. There is considerable complexity involved to understand their impact due to different physical–chemical properties that make microplastics multifaceted stressors. If, on the one hand, microplastics carry toxic chemicals in the ecosystems, thus serving as vectors of transport, they are themselves, on the other hand, a cocktail of hazardous chemicals that are added voluntarily during their production as additives to increase polymer properties and prolong their life. To date, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the major additives of concern that are used in the plastic industry, on their fate once microplastics dispose into the environment, and on their consequent effects on human health when associated with micro and nanoplastics. The present study emphasizes the most toxic and dangerous chemical substances that are contained in all plastic products to describe the effects and implications of these hazardous chemicals on human health, providing a detailed overview of studies that have investigated their abundance on microplastics. In the present work, we conducted a capillary review of the literature on micro and nanoplastic exposure pathways and their potential risk to human health to summarize current knowledge with the intention of better focus future research in this area and fill knowledge gaps. Full article

For decades, significant work has been conducted regarding plastic waste by dealing with rejected materials in waste masses through their accumulation, sorting and recycling. Important political and technical challenges are involved, especially with respect to landfilled waste. Plastic is popular and, notwithstanding decrease policies, it will remain a material widely used in most economic sectors. However, questions of plastic waste recycling in the contemporary world cannot be solved without knowing the material, which can be achieved by careful sampling, analysis and quantification. Plastic is heterogeneous, but usually all plastic waste is jointly handled for recycling and incineration. Separation before processing waste through the analytical approach must be applied. Modern landfill mining and site clean-up projects in contemporary waste management systems require comprehensive material studies ranging from the macro-characterization of waste masses to a more detailed analysis of hazardous constituents and properties from an energy calorific standpoint—where, among other methods, thermogravimetric research coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA) and economic assessment is highly welcomed. Full article