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Microplastics: emerging trends and research gaps
Citation:
Potter, Phillip M. Microplastics: emerging trends and research gaps. ACS Spring 2021 National Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 05 - 16, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
Microplastics (MPs) in the environment result from either the direct release of micro-sized (< 5 mm) plastic particles or degradation of larger plastic debris. The absence of standard methods to characterize and quantify MPs in environmental and biological matrices has hindered progress in understanding their sources, distribution, and impact. Hence, the development and standardization of methods is needed to establish their potential environmental and human health risks. MP standard materials that more closely match real MPs are needed for exposure studies. In addition, there are polymer types that have typically been ignored that are receiving increased attention, such as halogenated polymers, polymer blends, and tire particles. Nanoplastics (< 100 nm) are also receiving increased attention because of the risk they pose due to their increased surface area, environmental transport, and biological uptake. This research may be used by EPA's Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), Consumer Protection and Safety Commission (CPSC), and National Institute of Occupational of Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Description:
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging contaminant that may pose risks to human health and the environment. There are currently no standard methods to characterize and quantify MPs in environmental and biological matrices. There is a critical need for the development and standardization of methods to establish their potential environmental and human health risks. Synthesis of MP reference standards is needed to more closely mimic real MPs for application in exposure studies. There is also a growing market for plastic consumer products that incorporate new polymer composites that need to be addressed. The area of nanoplastics (< 100 nm) is receiving increased attention because of the increased risk they pose over MPs due to their increased surface area, environmental transport, and biological uptake.