A Review of Green Chemistry Applications in the Mitigation of Prevalences of Nanoplastic Pollution

This "Review of Green Chemistry Applications in the Mitigation of prevalences of Nanoplastic Pollution,” highlights how green chemistry principles are applied to reduce the growing threat of nanoplastic pollution. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, databases were employed to identify, evaluate, and synthesize relevant literature from Peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and authoritative reports, systematically. While plastics have long been indispensable in various fields and industries, originating from primary and secondary sources, their excessive use and poor disposal have led to severe environmental and health problems. Due to their minute size, limited detectability, and widespread presence, nanoplastics are found in the atmosphere, water, soil, food, plants, animals and humans, where they pose significant environmental and health risks. The absence of robust, standardized methodologies for detecting and monitoring nanoplastic pollution, hinder its risk assessment, thus, highlighting the urgent need for improved green analytical approaches. Green chemistry offers a proactive solution via the development of biodegradable polymers, by emphasizing safer chemical design, renewable feedstocks, and atom-efficient synthesis. Unlike conventional plastics, biodegradable polymers can be decomposed by microorganisms, making them environmentally friendly, sustainable alternatives. Applications of green chemistry in agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries have already reduced costs, improved efficiency, and generated safer products, demonstrating its potential for large-scale adoption. Overall, green chemistry provides a sustainable pathway for mitigating nanoplastic pollution by preventing waste at the source rather than relying solely on remediation.