The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk
Abstract Atmospheric plastic debris (microplastic and nanoplastic) research is comparatively little than in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Nonetheless, the research is important in understanding the risk and fate of these contaminants in the total environment. Generally, the research is limit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220362 |
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| author | Hsin-Chieh Kung Chien-Hsing Wu Nicholas Kiprotich Cheruiyot Justus Kavita Mutuku Bo-Wun Huang Guo-Ping Chang-Chien |
| author_facet | Hsin-Chieh Kung Chien-Hsing Wu Nicholas Kiprotich Cheruiyot Justus Kavita Mutuku Bo-Wun Huang Guo-Ping Chang-Chien |
| author_sort | Hsin-Chieh Kung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Atmospheric plastic debris (microplastic and nanoplastic) research is comparatively little than in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Nonetheless, the research is important in understanding the risk and fate of these contaminants in the total environment. Generally, the research is limited by a lack of consensus on the characterization of plastic debris and the standardization of sampling and analysis protocols. These limitations make it difficult to compare results from studies. In response, criteria for defining plastic debris beyond size characterization have been proposed to include polymeric composition, solubility, physical state, shape, color, and origin. There are also emerging techniques, such as Py-GC/MS, which can measure smaller particles in the nanoscale range, and TGA-FTIR-GC/MS, which can accurately identify more polymers. The identification of microplastics and nanoplastics sources and formation processes is challenging. Since most polymers are inert, the adverse health risks include endocytosis and accumulation in the liver and spleen. However, most of the toxic effects of these contaminants are related to surface-bound compounds, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Some polymers, such as expanded polystyrene, decompose to form carcinogens. This paper offers an overview of the current knowledge on plastic debris in the atmosphere and will be useful to researchers interested in this field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-486c2a3017164c858f087d5cfc7da7b7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-486c2a3017164c858f087d5cfc7da7b72025-02-09T12:22:37ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092022-12-0123112410.4209/aaqr.220362The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health RiskHsin-Chieh Kung0Chien-Hsing Wu1Nicholas Kiprotich Cheruiyot2Justus Kavita Mutuku3Bo-Wun Huang4Guo-Ping Chang-Chien5Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu UniversityDivision of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial HospitalCenter for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu UniversityInstitute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Institute of Mechatronic Engineering, Cheng Shiu UniversityInstitute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu UniversityAbstract Atmospheric plastic debris (microplastic and nanoplastic) research is comparatively little than in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Nonetheless, the research is important in understanding the risk and fate of these contaminants in the total environment. Generally, the research is limited by a lack of consensus on the characterization of plastic debris and the standardization of sampling and analysis protocols. These limitations make it difficult to compare results from studies. In response, criteria for defining plastic debris beyond size characterization have been proposed to include polymeric composition, solubility, physical state, shape, color, and origin. There are also emerging techniques, such as Py-GC/MS, which can measure smaller particles in the nanoscale range, and TGA-FTIR-GC/MS, which can accurately identify more polymers. The identification of microplastics and nanoplastics sources and formation processes is challenging. Since most polymers are inert, the adverse health risks include endocytosis and accumulation in the liver and spleen. However, most of the toxic effects of these contaminants are related to surface-bound compounds, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Some polymers, such as expanded polystyrene, decompose to form carcinogens. This paper offers an overview of the current knowledge on plastic debris in the atmosphere and will be useful to researchers interested in this field.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220362Contaminants releaseContinuous fragmentationExposure pathwayHetero-aggregationInhalable plastic debrisSorption |
| spellingShingle | Hsin-Chieh Kung Chien-Hsing Wu Nicholas Kiprotich Cheruiyot Justus Kavita Mutuku Bo-Wun Huang Guo-Ping Chang-Chien The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk Aerosol and Air Quality Research Contaminants release Continuous fragmentation Exposure pathway Hetero-aggregation Inhalable plastic debris Sorption |
| title | The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk |
| title_full | The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk |
| title_fullStr | The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk |
| title_short | The Current Status of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics Research: Characterization, Analytical Methods, Fate, and Human Health Risk |
| title_sort | current status of atmospheric micro nanoplastics research characterization analytical methods fate and human health risk |
| topic | Contaminants release Continuous fragmentation Exposure pathway Hetero-aggregation Inhalable plastic debris Sorption |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220362 |
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