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Interactions between microplastics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products: Implications for vector transport
Thilakshani Atugoda1, Meththika Vithanage1, Hasintha Wijesekara2
1Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka.
Environment International
|January 26, 2021
Summary
Microplastics adsorb pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), impacting environmental fate and transport. This review synthesizes factors influencing PPCP sorption on microplastics and their ecotoxicological effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Microplastics are known vectors for hydrophobic contaminants.
- Emerging research highlights microplastic adsorption of hydrophilic compounds like pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs).
- Ubiquitous environmental presence of PPCPs leads to co-occurrence with microplastics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and critically assess factors influencing hydrophilic compound adsorption on microplastics.
- To analyze the environmental fate and transport of PPCP-sorbed microplastics.
- To discuss the ecotoxicological impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical synthesis of existing studies.
- Analysis of physicochemical characteristics of polymers and PPCPs.
- Assessment of environmental factors (pH, salinity, dissolved organics) on sorption dynamics.
Main Results:
- Sorption of PPCPs on microplastics is influenced by polymer type, PPCP properties, and environmental conditions.
- Environmental factors like pH and salinity significantly alter sorption capacities.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting environmental fate.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics play a significant role in the environmental transport of hydrophilic contaminants.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the ecotoxicological risks associated with PPCP-sorbed microplastics.
- This review provides a critical assessment of current knowledge and identifies research gaps.
Keywords:
EcotoxicityEnvironmental contaminationHydrophilic contaminantMicroplasticPharmaceuticals and personal care productsMore Related Videos
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