We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence, toxicity and remediation of polyethylene terephthalate plastics. A review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the full lifecycle of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — the plastic used in beverage bottles and synthetic clothing — covering its environmental occurrence from groundwater to sediment, human health effects including stem cell disruption, and physical, chemical, and biological degradation pathways.
Polyethylene terephthalate is a common plastic in many products such as viscose rayon for clothing, and packaging material in the food and beverage industries. Polyethylene terephthalate has beneficial properties such as light weight, high tensile strength, transparency and gas barrier. Nonetheless, there is actually increasing concern about plastic pollution and toxicity. Here we review the properties, occurrence, toxicity, remediation and analysis of polyethylene terephthalate as macroplastic, mesoplastic, microplastic and nanoplastic. Polyethylene terephthalate occurs in groundwater, drinking water, soils and sediments. Plastic uptake by humans induces diseases such as reducing migration and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow and endothelial progenitor cells. Polyethylene terephthalate can be degraded by physical, chemical and biological methods.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence, analysis, and toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics: a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review focuses on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most common types of plastic found as microplastic contamination in food, beverages, dust, wildlife, and human tissues. The authors found major inconsistencies in how researchers measure and detect PET microplastics, making it difficult to accurately assess health risks. Better standardized methods are needed to understand the true scope of PET contamination.
Sustainable Management of Microplastic Pollutions from PET Bottles: Overview and Mitigation Strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the environmental impact of PET bottle degradation and strategies for managing the resulting microplastic pollution. The study highlights that PET bottle usage continues to grow, and its breakdown releases low-molecular-weight compounds and microplastics, while outlining mitigation approaches including improved recycling and waste management practices.
Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) precursors and potential degradation products: Toxicity study and application in discovery of novel PETases
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists synthesized and characterized the toxic breakdown products of PET plastic (used in bottles and packaging) and evaluated their ecotoxicity, finding that some degradation intermediates are more harmful than the intact polymer. As more biotechnological approaches are developed to break down PET in the environment, understanding the toxicity of breakdown products is critical.
Enzymatic PET Degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines enzymatic degradation of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the plastic used in bottles and polyester clothing, as a promising pathway for breaking down this persistent polymer. Advances in engineering more efficient PET-degrading enzymes could enable industrial-scale biological recycling and reduce the environmental accumulation of PET microplastics.
Experimental investigations on polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics’ degradation. A review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted experiments to study the physical and chemical behavior of polyethylene and PET microplastic particles under different environmental conditions. The study contributes to understanding how these plastics persist and transform in the environment.
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.