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A comprehensive risk assessment of microplastics in soil, water, and atmosphere: Implications for human health and environmental safety
Summary
This comprehensive study analyzed microplastic contamination across soil, water, and air in China, finding that polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene were the most common types. While current risk assessments rate the direct ecological danger as low, the study warns that microplastics interact with other pollutants in ways that amplify their combined health and environmental risks, and that existing assessment models may underestimate the true danger.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive across ecosystems, likely posing significant environmental and health risks based on more and more evidence. In this study, we searched through the Web of Science Core Collection and obtained 1039 papers for visualization and analysis. In order to discuss the chemical composition, migration, transformation and potential risk of MPs, 135 sets of relevant data in soil, water, and atmosphere were collected in China as a typical region, which is a hotspot region for investigation of MPs. The results showed that the primary polymer categories of MPs in the environment to be polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. The soil contains a significant quantity of MPs, averaging at 12,107.42 items·kg<sub>dw</sub><sup>-1</sup>, while water contains averaging at 97,271.18 items m<sup>-3</sup>. The total pollution load indexes for all three environments are at risk level I. Based on current risk assessment methods, the potential ecological risk of MPs is low. However, based on the polymer components, migration and transformation patterns, and especially the complexes with other pollutants, it indicates an increasing indirect risk. Interactions with some other pollutants are likely amplify the ecological and health risks associated with MPs. Aggregative results showed that the present risk assessment models could not assess the risks of MPs well. Thus, we suggested develop a risk assessment methodology for MPs based on relevant research progress. Some factors such as the size and form of MPs, sources and distribution, bioaccumulation, social acceptance and economic costs could be considered adding in the present risk assessment models. Finally, promotion of development and application of green chemically synthesized bioplastics such as using synthetic biology to help degrade plastics would be an alternative and sustainable option to relieve the adverse environmental and health concerns of MPs.
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