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Association of Potential Human Pathogens with Microplastics in Freshwater Systems

Springer water 2020 25 citations

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Researchers reviewed evidence that microplastics in freshwater systems act as vectors for human bacterial pathogens, showing that the hydrophobic plastic surfaces and biofilm-forming capacity of microplastics enable colonization and transport of potentially dangerous microorganisms through aquatic environments and into drinking water supplies.

Study Type Environmental

Microplastics (MPs) have gradually become a global environmental pollution concern and are readily colonised by environmental microorganisms. MPs persist in the environment and serve as potential vectors for spreading bacterial pathogens of humans, due to their low...

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