Paint particle pollution in aquatic environments: Current advances and analytical challenges

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Paints, coatings, and varnishes offer protection and aesthetics but pose environmental risks.
• Paint particles (PPs), including antifouling/anticorrosive paint particles (APPs), contribute to marine pollution through leakage, wear, and removal.
• PPs/APPs are often misclassified as microplastics (MPs), leading to underestimation of their abundance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the formation, prevalence, and environmental impacts of paint particles.
• To highlight challenges in sampling, processing, and characterizing PPs/APPs.
• To advocate for standardized methodologies and sustainable paint formulations for pollution mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on paint particle formation, aging, and environmental repercussions.
• Analysis of existing methodologies for sampling, processing, and characterization.
• Discussion of ecotoxicological concerns related to hazardous substances in PPs/APPs.

Main Results:

• PPs/APPs originate from diverse activities and are a significant environmental contaminant.
• Hazardous substances within PPs/APPs pose risks to organisms.
• Current assessment methods face challenges in accurate quantification and differentiation.

Conclusions:

• Standardized assessment methodologies are crucial for accurate quantification and differentiation of PPs/APPs.
• Understanding the composition and toxicity of PPs/APPs is vital for risk assessment.
• A holistic approach integrating sustainable paint formulation is essential for mitigating pollution.