Ali Sameh S, Alsharbaty Mohammed Hussein M, Al-Tohamy Rania, Khalil Maha A, Schagerl Michael, Al-Zahrani Majid, Sun Jianzhong
Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
Toxics. 2024 Dec 14;12(12):909. doi: 10.3390/toxics12120909.
The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern in recent years. Because of their slow rate of disposal, MPs are ubiquitous in the environment. As a consequence of indiscriminate use, landfill deposits, and inadequate recycling methods, MP production and environmental accumulation are expanding at an alarming rate, resulting in a range of economic, social, and environmental repercussions. Aquatic organisms, including fish and various crustaceans, consume MPs, which are ultimately consumed by humans at the tertiary level of the food chain. Blocking the digestive tracts, disrupting digestive behavior, and ultimately reducing the reproductive growth of entire living organisms are all consequences of this phenomenon. In order to assess the potential environmental impacts and the resources required for the life of a plastic product, the importance of life cycle assessment (LCA) and circularity is underscored. MPs-related ecosystem degradation has not yet been adequately incorporated into LCA, a tool for evaluating the environmental performance of product and technology life cycles. It is a technique that is designed to quantify the environmental effects of a product from its inception to its demise, and it is frequently employed in the context of plastics. The control of MPs is necessary due to the growing concern that MPs pose as a newly emergent potential threat. This is due to the consequences of their use. This paper provides a critical analysis of the formation, distribution, and methods used for detecting MPs. The effects of MPs on ecosystems and human health are also discussed, which posed a great challenge to conduct an LCA related to MPs. The socio-economic impacts of MPs and their management are also discussed. This paper paves the way for understanding the ecotoxicological impacts of the emerging MP threat and their associated issues to LCA and limits the environmental impact of plastic.
近年来，微塑料（MPs）在陆地和水生生态系统中的广泛存在已成为一个重大的环境问题。由于其处理速度缓慢，微塑料在环境中无处不在。由于使用不当、垃圾填埋以及回收方法不完善，微塑料的产量和在环境中的积累正以惊人的速度增长，导致一系列经济、社会和环境影响。包括鱼类和各种甲壳类动物在内的水生生物会摄入微塑料，而人类在食物链的第三级最终会食用这些生物。这一现象会导致消化道堵塞、消化行为紊乱，并最终降低整个生物体的生殖生长。为了评估塑料产品生命周期的潜在环境影响和所需资源，强调了生命周期评估（LCA）和循环利用的重要性。与微塑料相关的生态系统退化尚未充分纳入LCA，LCA是一种评估产品和技术生命周期环境绩效的工具。它是一种旨在量化产品从诞生到消亡的环境影响的技术，常用于塑料领域。由于人们越来越担心微塑料构成新出现的潜在威胁，因此对其进行控制很有必要。这是由其使用后果导致的。本文对微塑料的形成、分布和检测方法进行了批判性分析。还讨论了微塑料对生态系统和人类健康的影响，这给开展与微塑料相关的生命周期评估带来了巨大挑战。此外，还讨论了微塑料的社会经济影响及其管理。本文为理解新出现的微塑料威胁的生态毒理学影响及其与生命周期评估相关的问题铺平了道路，并限制了塑料对环境的影响。
