We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics as potential source for environmental pollution: An updated review on Indian scenario Post Covid -19
Summary
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.
Technological advancement has tremendously accelerated the promotion of microplastics in our environment. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the production and use of plastics in the form of facemasks, face shields and PPE kits across the globe has intensified and becomes a new environmental challenge. As scientific knowledge is limited concerning the source, exposure, toxicity, and bioavailability of microplastics in the surroundings, this review has been aimed to provide comprehensive information about microplastics present in the environment with special emphasis on their deposition and related increasing menace in India, during and after the COVID 19 period. We have focussed on the 5 key research needs, involving (1) the occurrence and abundance of microplastics (2) sources, fate, and occurence of microplastics in different media (water, air and soil), (3) toxicological implications of microplastics on human beings, (4) scenario of microplastics disposal during COVID-19 pandemic and (5) major challenges and future directions to curtail them. We suggest that addressing these knowledge gaps will lay the groundwork to counteract such environmental issues which are important to prevent them from exacerbating. Combating microplastic contamination can be achieved through an intensive and combined effort of all, including the stakeholders, researchers, educators, media and policymakers. We can join the effort to manage plastic in the environment by refusing, reducing, reusing and recycling the plastic products, to prolong every item’s life cycle as far as possible. A start would be a focus on limiting the use of single-use plastic products, especially if alternatives are readily available.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics as potential source for environmental pollution: An updated review on Indian scenario Post Covid -19
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
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.
Microplastics pollution: An emerging threat to environment
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.
Face masks: a COVID-19 protector or environmental contaminant?
This review examined how the massive global use of disposable face masks during COVID-19 has created a significant source of microplastic pollution, with billions of masks entering the environment and releasing plastic fibers and chemical contaminants.
Mascarillas faciales: contaminación ambiental, efectos toxicológicos, posibles soluciones y políticas globales
This review examined the environmental contamination, toxicological effects, and global policy responses related to face mask pollution generated during the COVID-19 pandemic, documenting how the surge in mask use following the WHO declaration created a new source of plastic waste and microplastic pollution.