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A recipe for plastic: Expert insights on plastic additives in the marine environment
Summary
Researchers examined the occurrence of synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout collected at indoor and outdoor monitoring stations, finding that indoor environments had higher fiber deposition rates than outdoor sites. Synthetic textiles used in clothing and furnishings were identified as the primary indoor source, suggesting significant human inhalation exposure to airborne microfibers.
The production and consumption of plastic products had been steadily increasing over the years, leading to more plastic waste entering the environment. Plastic pollution is ubiquitous and comes in many types and forms. To enhance or modify their properties, chemical additives are added to plastic items during manufacturing. The presence and leakage of these additives, from managed and mismanaged plastic waste, into the environment are of growing concern. In this study, we gauged, via an online questionnaire, expert knowledge on the use, characteristics, monitoring and risks of plastic additives to the marine environment. We analysed the survey results against actual data to identify and prioritise risks and gaps. Participants also highlighted key factors for future consideration, including gaining a deeper understanding of the use and types of plastic additives, how they leach throughout the entire lifecycle, their toxicity, and the safety of alternative options. More extensive chemical regulation and an evaluation of the essentiality of their use should also be considered.