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Microplastics pollution: An emerging threat to environment
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This review summarizes the emerging evidence that microplastics, defined as particles under 5 mm, pose a significant threat to terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments in India and globally. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened microplastic pollution through increased use of single-use plastics including disposable masks.
Plastic production has surged dramatically over the past seven decades, making plastics ubiquitous in various industries such as clothing, packaging, and construction due to their cost-effectiveness and versatile properties. However, the environmental and health risks associated with synthetic polymers, particularly microplastics (MPs), have become a major concern. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue with increased single-use plastic waste, including disposable masks, contributing to environmental disruption. MPs, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm, have been increasingly detected in diverse ecosystems, including terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. In India, rapid industrialization and inadequate waste management have led to significant MP pollution, with major urban areas contributing heavily to coastal and freshwater contamination. MPs impact marine and terrestrial organisms, entering food chains and posing risks to human health. Despite the growing recognition of this issue, India's role in global MP pollution remains underexplored. This review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research and improved waste management strategies to mitigate MP pollution.
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Microplastics as potential source for environmental pollution: An updated review on Indian scenario Post Covid -19
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This review synthesizes evidence on microplastic occurrence, sources, fate, and toxicological implications in Indian environments, with particular attention to the intensification of plastic pollution during and after the COVID-19 pandemic driven by massive use of facemasks, face shields, and PPE. The authors identify five key research gaps including quantification, multi-media distribution, human toxicology, pandemic-era disposal, and governance challenges, and call for coordinated action among researchers, educators, and policymakers.
Microplastics as potential source for environmental pollution: An updated review on Indian scenario Post Covid -19
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes evidence on microplastic occurrence, sources, fate, and toxicological implications in Indian environments, with particular attention to the intensification of plastic pollution during and after the COVID-19 pandemic driven by massive use of facemasks, face shields, and PPE. The authors identify five key research gaps including quantification, multi-media distribution, human toxicology, pandemic-era disposal, and governance challenges, and call for coordinated action among researchers, educators, and policymakers.
Microplastics as potential source for environmental pollution: An updated review on Indian scenario Post Covid -19
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This review examines the status of microplastic pollution in India following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which accelerated plastic production for personal protective equipment and medical supplies intensified microplastic inputs to the environment. Researchers synthesized available data on microplastic contamination across Indian environmental compartments, identifying knowledge gaps and regulatory challenges specific to the post-pandemic Indian context.
Microplastic pollution and associated health hazards: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic
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This review explores how the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in single-use plastic waste from masks, gloves, and packaging, increasing microplastic pollution in the environment. Microplastics from this waste can enter land, air, and water, ultimately accumulating in the human body. The study highlights the need for better plastic waste detection, recycling, and management to reduce health risks from pandemic-driven microplastic contamination.
A review of disposable facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus on microplastics release
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This review examines the environmental threats posed by disposable face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on microplastic release. Researchers found that discarded masks undergo physical and chemical degradation in the environment, generating microplastics that contaminate both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The study provides an overview of current knowledge on microplastic extraction methods and proposes strategies for controlling mask-related plastic pollution through source reduction and improved waste management.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.