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Paint: a ubiquitous yet disregarded piece of the microplastics puzzle
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This review found that microplastics from paint and coatings are a largely overlooked but major source of plastic pollution, with concentrations reaching up to 290,000 particles per kilogram of sediment near painted surfaces. Paint microplastics come from buildings, cars, boats, and industrial infrastructure. Of the toxic effects tested, 66% showed significant harm to organisms, particularly from antifouling paints, yet very few studies have examined this pollution source.
Microplastics are widespread pollutants. Microplastics generated from the wear and tear of paints and coatings have recently been modeled to be a large source of microplastics to the environment. Yet, studies focused on microplastics broadly frequently overlook paint microplastics. In this article, we systematically reviewed the primary literature (turning up 53 relevant articles) on paint microplastic sources, identification methods, environmental concentrations, and toxicity to model organisms. Examples of sources of paint microplastics include paints from buildings and murals, crafts and hobbies, cars and roads, marine boats and structures, and industrial systems like pipes, sewers, and other infrastructure. Paint microplastics have been quantified in several marine samples from Europe and, to a lesser extent, East Asia. Reported concentrations of paint microplastics are up to 290,000 particles per kilogram of sediments, with the greatest concentration reported near a graffiti wall. Out of the toxicity studies testing paint microplastics, there have been 68 tested effects in total across all endpoints and organisms and 17 quantified lethal concentration 50% doses (ranging from 0.001 to 20 g/L). Of the tested effects, 45 observed endpoint values in the paint treatment were significantly different from the control (66%)-most of which were tests using antifouling paints. Overall, the number of studies on paint microplastics is small, limiting a holistic understanding of microplastics. Based on our synthesis of the state of the science on paint microplastics, we suggest a research agenda moving forward informed by research gaps.
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The potential release of microplastics from paint fragments: Characterizing sources, occurrence and ecological impacts
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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 - A key source of microplastics to the environment: Fate, effects, and mitigation strategies
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Paint chips and coatings are a major, often overlooked source of tiny plastic particles (microplastics) that wash into our air, water, and soil as they weather and break down over time. This matters because these particles can end up in the food and water we consume, and scientists are still working to understand the health effects of ongoing microplastic exposure. This paper reviews existing research on how paint pollution happens and explores ways to reduce it, such as better product design and disposal practices.
Paint particles in the marine environment: An overlooked component of microplastics
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Researchers highlight that paint particles, which consist of polymers combined with additives, are frequently overlooked or misclassified in studies of marine microplastic pollution. They found that paint fragments from ships, buildings, and infrastructure represent a significant but underreported source of microplastic contamination in ocean environments. The study calls for paint particles to be consistently included in marine debris monitoring to provide a more accurate picture of plastic pollution.
Paint particle pollution in aquatic environments: Current advances and analytical challenges
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This review highlights paint particles as an overlooked but significant source of microplastic pollution in water environments, originating from marine vessels, buildings, and industrial activities. Paint particles carry toxic chemicals including heavy metals and biocides that can leach into water and accumulate in marine organisms, posing risks to both ecosystems and human health through seafood consumption.
Paint fragments as polluting microplastics: A brief review
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This brief review synthesized current knowledge on paint fragments as a significant but frequently overlooked source of microplastic pollution in the ocean. Paint particles contain diverse polymers including polyurethanes, polyesters, and epoxies, and are often excluded from microplastic audits despite their prevalence in marine environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.