We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Index models for ecological and health risks assessment of environmental micro-and nano-sized plastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This review presented and evaluated index models used to assess ecological and health risks from environmental micro- and nanoplastics, providing standardized methods for describing contamination levels and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health.
The definition of environmental indexes is one of the most widely used methods and methodologies for the study of exposure to polluting agents, and it is a highly helpful instrument for describing the quality of the environment in a simple and straightforward manner. In this study, index models were presented and described that can be used in evaluating the contamination, pollution and health risks of environmental micro (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) to ecosystems and humans. Index models such as plastic contamination factors (pCf) and pollution load index (pPLI), plastic- bioconcentration or accumulation factors (pBCf or pBAf), plastic-biota-sediment accumulation factor (pBSAf), biota accumulation load index (BALI), polymer risks indices (pRi), polymer ecological risks index (pERI) while plastic estimated daily intake (pEDI) and plastic carcinogenic risks (pCR) were described for oral, dermal and inhalation pathways. All index modeled were further described based on polymer types of MPs/NPs. The final value is represented by a quantity that measures a weighted combination of sub-indices and defined by an appropriate mathematical function. The central concept is to present an indicator that can describe, in a clear and concise manner, the level of MPs/NPs in the environment, thereby indicating where it would be necessary to intervene and where it would not in order to improve overall environmental conditions.
More Papers Like This
Environmental Toxicity of Emerging Micro and Nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the environmental toxicity of emerging micro- and nanoplastics, covering their sources, degradation pathways, ecological impacts on organisms, and the need for standardized risk assessment frameworks.
Nano-plastics and their analytical characterisation and fate in the marine environment: From source to sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the sources, environmental fate, organism interactions, and analytical detection methods for nano-sized plastic polymers in the marine environment, concluding that nanoplastics pose the greatest ecological risk among plastic size fractions and that standardized analytical protocols for nanoplastic characterization are urgently needed.
Toxicological review of micro- and nano-plastics in aquatic environments: Risks to ecosystems, food web dynamics and human health.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesized evidence on the toxicological effects of micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems, covering risks to individual organisms, disruptions to food web dynamics, and pathways through which plastic exposure poses risks to human health via seafood consumption.
Assessment of potential ecological risk for microplastic particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a framework for assessing the ecological risk of microplastic particles, incorporating particle characteristics, environmental concentrations, and species sensitivity data. The assessment identified conditions under which current environmental microplastic levels pose significant risk to aquatic organisms.
Assessment of biomarker-based ecotoxic effects in combating microplastic pollution - A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined the use of biomarker-based ecotoxicological approaches to assess the impacts of microplastic pollution across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial organisms. The authors argue that standardized biomarker frameworks are needed to quantify ecological harm from microplastics more effectively.
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.