Papers

Microplastics contamination in water supply system and treatment processes

This systematic review found that microplastics are frequently detected in drinking and bottled water despite current treatment technologies, and that no existing method can completely remove them. Integrating advanced treatment approaches with life-cycle assessment and machine learning is needed to address this pervasive contamination of water supply systems.

Thailand's animals in peril: a systematic review of microplastic contamination and its ecological consequences

This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in animals across Thailand, from fish to birds, revealing widespread pollution in the country's ecosystems. The findings matter for human health because microplastics that accumulate in wildlife can move up the food chain and eventually end up on our plates.

Detection of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and Its Association with Changes in Human Milk Bacterial Microbiota

Researchers detected microplastics in nearly 39% of breast milk samples from 59 mothers, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. The presence of microplastics was linked to changes in the bacterial makeup of breast milk, raising concerns about early-life microplastic exposure in infants during breastfeeding.

Microplastic Removal by Flotation: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Research Trends

This meta-analysis pooled data from 31 studies on using flotation — a technique borrowed from mining — to remove microplastics from water and soil. The method showed high removal rates across different conditions, and research in this area has grown rapidly since 2020. Better microplastic removal technologies are important because they could help reduce the amount of plastic particles reaching our drinking water and food supply.

A review on microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment: Their occurrence, exposure routes, toxic studies, and potential effects on human health

This review summarizes what is known about how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin contact, and what they do once inside. Studies on cells and animals show these tiny particles can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and harm to the immune, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. The research makes clear that microplastics are not just an environmental problem but a direct concern for human health.

Effects of relative microplastic–biochar sizes and biofilm formation on fragmental microplastic retention in biochar filters

Researchers tested biochar filters made from macadamia nutshells for removing microplastics from water and achieved up to 96% removal of small plastic fragments. Lower water flow rates and smaller microplastic particles led to better removal performance. This is a promising low-cost, natural approach to filtering microplastics from water, which could help reduce human exposure through drinking water.

Prevalence and characteristics of microplastic contamination in soft drinks and potential consumer exposure

Researchers tested nine popular soft drink brands in Thailand and found microplastics in every single one, regardless of whether the packaging was plastic, aluminum, or glass. Concentrations ranged from 2 to 39 particles per liter, with most particles being tiny fragments between 50 and 100 micrometers. Based on average soft drink consumption, a person in Thailand could swallow between 81 and 1,609 microplastic particles per year just from soft drinks alone.

Top 10 public health challenges to track in 2023: Shifting focus beyond a global pandemic

This article identifies the top 10 global public health challenges for 2023, including climate change, infectious disease preparedness, and environmental pollution. Microplastic contamination is highlighted as part of the broader environmental health threat that demands coordinated international attention. The authors argue that shifting focus beyond pandemic response is essential to address the interconnected health challenges facing the world.

Microplastic pollution in annelids: A systematic review of species-specific impacts, toxicity pathways, and ecological risks

This systematic review summarizes research on how microplastics affect annelid worms, which are important soil and sediment organisms. The findings show microplastics can cause oxidative stress, reproductive harm, and changes in behavior in these creatures. Since annelids play a key role in keeping soil healthy for agriculture, their exposure to microplastics could have ripple effects on the ecosystems that support our food supply.

Aged polyethylene microplastics and glyphosate-based herbicide co-exposure toxicity in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

This study looked at what happens when Pacific white shrimp are exposed to both aged microplastics and a common herbicide (glyphosate) at the same time. Researchers found that while microplastics alone had mild effects, combining them with the herbicide changed how toxic the herbicide was to the shrimp, suggesting that microplastics in the environment may alter the impact of other chemical pollutants on marine life.

Seasonal variation in the abundance of microplastics in three commercial bivalves from Bandon Bay, Gulf of Thailand

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three types of commercially harvested shellfish from Bandon Bay in Thailand across different seasons. They found that microplastic levels were significantly higher during the dry season, with oysters containing the most particles. The study suggests that seasonal conditions and proximity to fishery activities influence how much microplastic accumulates in seafood.

Interfacial Engineering of Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i> MXene Electrode Using g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets for High-Performance Supercapacitor in Neutral Electrolyte

Researchers engineered a supercapacitor electrode by combining MXene nanosheets with protonated carbon nitride to improve energy storage performance in neutral electrolytes. The modified electrode showed significantly increased capacitance and stability compared to plain MXene. While not directly about microplastics, this materials science advancement contributes to sustainable energy storage technologies that could support environmental monitoring and remediation efforts.

Road to The Red Carpet of Edible Crickets through Integration into the Human Food Chain with Biofunctions and Sustainability: A Review

This review summarizes the nutritional value, health-promoting properties, and safety considerations of edible crickets as an alternative protein source. Researchers highlight crickets' potential to help address global malnutrition with lower environmental impact than conventional livestock. While not directly about microplastics, the paper is relevant to discussions about sustainable food systems and reducing reliance on resource-intensive food production that contributes to plastic pollution.

Use of industry 4.0 technologies to reduce and valorize seafood waste and by-products: A narrative review on current knowledge

Researchers review how Industry 4.0 technologies — including artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and the Internet of Things — can reduce waste from fish and seafood processing while recovering valuable nutrients and materials. Better management of seafood discards could strengthen global food security and reduce the environmental damage caused by millions of tons of annual fishery waste.

Bioactive Compounds and Their Derivatives: An Insight into Prospective Phytotherapeutic Approach against Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers reviewed natural bioactive compounds from plant sources for their potential neuroprotective effects related to Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights how these compounds may modulate molecular mechanisms involved in disease development, while noting challenges such as limited bioavailability and blood-brain barrier permeability.

Microplastics in wastewater and sludge from centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment plants: Effects of treatment systems and microplastic characteristics

Researchers compared microplastic removal at centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment plants in Bangkok, Thailand. They found that centralized plants removed 50-97% of microplastics while smaller decentralized plants removed only 14-54%, with both types concentrating significant amounts of microplastics in their sludge, up to 228,100 particles per kilogram of dry weight.

Environmental Degradation of Plastics: Understanding the Mechanisms

Microplastic contamination and removal efficiency in greywater treatment using a membrane bioreactor

Researchers evaluated a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor for removing microplastics from real household greywater and achieved removal rates of up to 90%. The dominant microplastic types found were polypropylene particles and polyester fibers, with most particles in the 101-300 micrometer size range. The study suggests that membrane bioreactor technology could be an effective tool for reducing microplastic discharge from buildings into the environment.

Microbial degradation of polypropylene microplastics and concomitant polyhydroxybutyrate production: An integrated bioremediation approach with metagenomic insights

Researchers isolated microbial consortia capable of degrading polypropylene microplastics, achieving weight losses of up to 17.8% after 30 days of incubation. The most effective consortium also produced polyhydroxybutyrate, a biodegradable plastic alternative, while breaking down the polypropylene. Metagenomic analysis revealed abundant carbohydrate-active enzymes and oxidation pathways, suggesting an integrated bioremediation approach that simultaneously degrades plastic waste and generates a useful bioplastic.

Micro and nanoplastics as emerging stressors influencing plant metabolism and nutrient dynamics

This review of existing research shows that tiny plastic particles in farm soil can get inside plants and change how they grow and absorb nutrients. When plants take up these microplastics, it could affect the nutritional quality of the fruits and vegetables we eat, potentially impacting our food safety. However, scientists still need more long-term studies to fully understand how serious this threat is to our food supply and health.

Depositions of airborne microplastics during the wet and dry seasons in Pathum Thani, Thailand

Metagenomic insights into isolable bacterial communities and antimicrobial resistance in airborne dust from pig farms

Researchers studied bacterial communities and antimicrobial resistance in airborne dust from pig farms in Thailand using metagenomic sequencing. The study found the highest bacterial concentrations inside pig houses, with Staphylococcus and Enterococcus being the most frequently isolated species, and identified that the same resistant bacteria appeared across dust, feed, and fecal samples on individual farms.

Microplastic Contamination in Blood Cockles and Mussels in Bandon Bay, Suratthani Province, Thailand

Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in blood cockles and mussels from Bandon Bay, Thailand, finding widespread plastic particles in these commercially important bivalves and raising concerns about microplastic transfer through the seafood supply chain.

Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Cellular Alterations and Their Effects on Viral Entry (RSV, HCoV-OC43, EV-A71) and Viral Persistence

Researchers systematically investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect human cells and their interactions with three respiratory and enteric viruses. The study found that microplastic exposure caused cell damage, suppressed innate antiviral immune responses, and enhanced the persistence of enveloped viruses like coronavirus OC43 and RSV, suggesting that microplastics may create conditions favorable for viral survival.