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The potential release of microplastics from paint fragments: Characterizing sources, occurrence and ecological impacts
Summary
This review examines paint fragments as a significant but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution, coming from deteriorating building coatings, road markings, and ship hulls. Beyond the plastic particles themselves, paint fragments can release toxic biocides and heavy metals that harm aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The findings highlight paint as a source of microplastics that people may encounter through water, air, and food, but which receives far less attention than packaging or textile sources.
Paint fragments have become a significant environmental pollutant in our era. These particles pose environmental and health risks, with microplastics (MPs) being a major component. This review critically examines the sources, occurrence, and ecological impacts of paint particles (PPs) on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Land-based paint fragments from disturbed or deteriorating coatings on roads and buildings are carried to the ocean along with MP items through urban runoff, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition. In the ocean, paint fragments mainly originate from boating, shipping activities, and road markings. Beyond the direct effects on biota, biocides, and heavy metals from antifouling paint formulations can be released into the environment, impacting various organisms. Future research should focus on developing solutions to address the contamination of paint-related MPs in the environment. Efficient control of paint-originated MPs should encompass a blend of approaches, such as minimizing emissions via novel paint designs and deploying cutting-edge treatment technologies to intercept released particles.
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