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An overview of recent advances in micro/nano beads and microfibers research: Critical assessment and promoting the less known
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This review compares the state of knowledge on micro/nanobeads versus microfibers, finding that while bead toxicity has been extensively studied, microfiber research lags behind despite fibers being the dominant form of microplastics in most environments.
Uptake and toxicity of microplastics (<5 mm) on organisms has merited substantial attention from scientific and research communities. Micro- (1-5000 μm) and nano- (<1 μm) beads have been recognized as promising polymeric particles globally to assess risks for organisms after ingestion. Microfibers (<5 mm) are abundant worldwide, but studies demonstrating their impacts on organisms are only emerging and remain poorly understood. The goal of this review is to facilitate the research of microfibers towards risk assessments and understanding of their health effects on organisms. This paper examines the abundance, size, shapes, colors, and polymer types of micro/nano beads and microfibers in different environments as well as summarizes the existing knowledge related to the potential effects on organisms demonstrated from laboratory-based studies. It therefore also reviews and compares current methodologies used to synthesize microfibers for ingestion studies and further, documents their effects on organisms, critically assessing the knowledge gaps that need urgent attention in this rapidly developing research field. Taking together, this article will be useful to the microplastic scientific community and provide helpful referential information to those currently engaged in this field.
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A review on microplastic fibers and beads in wastewater: The current knowledge on their occurrence, analysis, treatment, and insights on human exposure impact
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This review focuses specifically on microfibers and microbeads, the two most relevant microplastic shapes found in wastewater, covering their sources, detection methods, and health implications. Researchers found that conventional wastewater treatment plants are not designed to effectively remove these particles, allowing them to re-enter the environment. The study highlights significant gaps in our understanding of how these specific microplastic shapes affect human health and ecosystems.
Assessment of Microplastics in the Environment – Fibres: the Disregarded Twin?
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This paper argues that synthetic fibers are systematically underestimated in environmental microplastic monitoring because they are often excluded from sampling protocols. Since synthetic textiles are ubiquitous and shed fibers through washing and wear, ignoring fibers means current assessments substantially undercount total microplastic environmental pollution.
Unraveling the ecological impact of textile microfibers: Current knowledge and research challenges
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This review examines the ecological impact of textile microfibers, a major subset of microplastic pollution released during laundry and fabric wear. Researchers found significant knowledge gaps regarding how these fibers affect organisms and ecosystems, particularly when interacting with other environmental contaminants. The study calls for more standardized research methods and greater attention to this pervasive but understudied form of microplastic pollution.
Microfibers: a preliminary discussion on their definition and sources
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This paper proposes clearer definitions for "microfibers" as a distinct category of microplastics and reviews their major environmental sources, noting that they are found nearly everywhere and released from both synthetic and natural textiles. Clearer terminology is important for comparability across research studies and for developing targeted policy responses to fiber pollution.
Toxicological impacts of microplastic fibers: A review assessing risk to human and aquatic health
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This scoping review synthesizes toxicological evidence on microplastic fibers specifically—the most environmentally abundant morphology—across human and aquatic health endpoints, finding that most existing research uses non-fiber shapes and calling for more fiber-specific exposure studies.
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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.