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Taking the sparkle off the sparkling time
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This review examines glitter—tiny metallic-coated plastic particles used in cosmetics, crafts, and food decoration—as a largely overlooked source of microplastic pollution. Glitter particles are difficult to filter from wastewater and persist in aquatic environments, posing ecological risks similar to other microplastics.
The awareness of impact of microplastics has led stakeholders to define strategies for the reduction of plastic emission and for their removal from aquatic environments. Glitter includes a wide range of shapes, chemical types of plastics covered by a metallic layer and color addition that confer them the typical 'sparkling' aspect. Here we focus on critical aspects that make glitter a product with a potential of significant environmental impact suggesting the need to take effective measures to limit emissions. Glitter is used here as a paradigm for all emergent plastic pollutants which calls for a deeper rethinking of our concept of sustainability. We are only at the beginning of the studies on glitter in the aquatic environment but on the basis of their potential impacts now is the time to take decisions taking the sparkle off the sparkling time.
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Is this your glitter? An overlooked but potentially environmentally-valuable microplastic
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Glitter—a type of microplastic made of thin metallic plastic films—has been largely overlooked in microplastic research despite its widespread use in cosmetics, crafts, and decorations. This paper argues glitter deserves more study as an environmental pollutant and potentially as a tool for tracking pollution sources.
Tiny, shiny, and colorful microplastics: Are regular glitters a significant source of microplastics?
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Researchers examined whether conventional glitter products made from polyethylene terephthalate represent a significant source of microplastic pollution, finding that their widespread use in cosmetics, crafts, and textiles makes them a notable but underexamined contributor to environmental microplastic contamination.
Metal and metalloid content, bioavailability and sorption processes in glitter and raw glitter materials and associations with human and ecological risk concerns.
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Researchers analyzed metal and metalloid content in glitter particles and raw glitter materials, finding elevated concentrations of several potentially toxic elements, and assessed the human and ecological risk associated with glitter as a widespread microplastic contaminant in aquatic environments.
Journey into the Local Market in Search of “Glitter” Microparticles: Mini Product Investigation and Relative Chemical-Physical Characterization
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Researchers surveyed glitter microparticles available in local markets, characterizing their chemical and physical properties and documenting their ubiquitous presence in everyday products, highlighting glitter as an underexamined primary microplastic deserving greater regulatory attention.
All that glitters is litter? Ecological impacts of conventional versus biodegradable glitter in a freshwater habitat.
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A mesocosm experiment compared the effects of conventional PET glitter versus biodegradable alternatives (including modified cellulose and mica) on freshwater ecosystems, finding no significant effect on biodiversity but a reduction in algae photosynthesis from conventional glitter. The results suggest biodegradable glitter alternatives may be less harmful, though the effects of both types at higher concentrations or over longer periods remain unclear.
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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.