Papers

Microplastics in shucked bivalve products from Vietnam: Presence, characteristics, human exposure, and risk assessment

Microplastics toxicity in aquatic animals

This systematic review summarizes existing research on how microplastics harm aquatic animals across multiple species. The findings show microplastics can cause physical damage, oxidative stress, reproductive issues, and behavioral changes in fish, shellfish, and other water-dwelling creatures. Since many of these animals are part of the human food chain, their contamination represents an indirect health concern for people.

Risk assessments of microplastic exposure in bivalves living in the coral reefs of Vietnam

Scientists measured microplastic contamination in shellfish living in coral reefs off the coast of Vietnam, finding an average of about 5.6 microplastic particles per individual. Polyethylene and polyamide fragments smaller than 100 micrometers were the most common types found. Since bivalves are filter feeders that people eat whole, these findings mean that consuming shellfish from these reefs involves direct ingestion of microplastics.

Microplastic pollution and ecological risk in estuaries and coastal areas: A case study at Han River estuary, Da Nang city, Vietnam

This study measured microplastic pollution in Vietnam's Han River estuary and found plastic particles at every sampling location, with levels varying by season. While focused on environmental monitoring, the findings matter for human health because estuarine waters supply local fisheries and communities, creating direct exposure pathways through seafood consumption.

Microplastics and trace metals in river sediment: Prevalence and correlation with multiple factors

Researchers examined microplastic and trace metal levels in river sediment in Vietnam and found that while metals tended to cluster together and correlate with nutrients and fine soil particles, they showed only weak connections to microplastic levels. The study suggests that microplastics and metals behave independently in river systems, each influenced by a different set of environmental factors.

Abundance of microplastics in cultured oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Danang Bay of Vietnam

Researchers determined the quantity, shape, size, and polymer types of microplastics in cultured Pacific oysters from Danang Bay, Vietnam, using infrared microscopy. The study found an average of 1.88 particles per gram of wet weight, with fragments being the most prevalent shape at nearly 74%. The findings highlight that cultured shellfish in coastal environments accumulate microplastics, with implications for food safety.

Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

Researchers surveyed microplastic and cyanobacterial toxin levels in a tropical drinking water reservoir in Vietnam over a one-year period. They found microplastics at all sampling sites, predominantly polypropylene and polyethylene fibers, with high polymer hazard scores despite low overall pollution levels. The co-occurrence of microplastics and microcystin toxins across the reservoir highlights the need for research on how these contaminants interact in freshwater drinking water sources.

Microplastics in the atmosphere: transportation and impact on humans

This chapter reviews the origins, atmospheric transport, distribution, and characterization of airborne microplastics. The authors note that microplastics have been detected in urban, suburban, and remote regions, raising the possibility of long-distance atmospheric transport. The study highlights significant knowledge gaps about the global distribution and health risks of airborne microplastics due to limitations in detection technologies and sampling methods.

Global challenges in microplastics: From fundamental understanding to advanced degradations toward sustainable strategies

This review examined global challenges in microplastic research — from environmental entry pathways and fate to human health impacts — and discussed potential degradation strategies, concluding that a combination of photocatalysis, biodegradation, and policy measures will be needed for sustainable management.

Microplastics occurrence, contamination, and effects on human health—a critical review

This critical review examined the occurrence of microplastics in the food chain and their potential effects on human health. The authors found that microplastics enter the body through food packaging and bioaccumulation in animals and plants, and may contribute to oxidative stress and immune system disruption. The review emphasizes the need for greater understanding of microplastic toxicity mechanisms in humans.

Mechanical recycling of plastic waste as a point source of microplastic pollution

Researchers found that mechanical recycling of plastic waste is a significant point source of microplastic pollution, releasing plastic fragments into wastewater during washing, shredding, and processing stages of the recycling chain.

Loofah plant—Derived biodegradable superhydrophobic sponge for effective removal of oil and microplastic from water

Researchers developed biodegradable superhydrophobic sponges from loofah plants coated with natural wax that removed over 99% of oil and polystyrene microplastics from water, with high absorption capacity and excellent recyclability through simple squeezing.

Assessmentof the Wastewater Treatment System at VPC Printing and Packaging Joint Stock Company

Researchers assessed the wastewater treatment system at a Vietnamese printing and packaging company, finding that the chemical-physical and biological treatment combination effectively reduced BOD, COD, suspended solids, and color to meet regulatory discharge standards.

Depth Profiles of Microplastics in Sediment Cores from Two Mangrove Forests in Northern Vietnam

Microplastic contamination in sediment cores from two mangrove forests in northern Vietnam was analyzed by depth, finding concentrations ranging from 0 to 49 items per kg and providing a historical record of plastic pollution accumulation in these ecologically important coastal wetlands.

Microplastics in dumping site soils from six Asian countries as a source of plastic additives

Microplastic abundance and plastic additive concentrations were analyzed in open-dumping site soils from six Asian countries, finding the highest abundance in Cambodia at 218,182 particles/kg and identifying these sites as sources of both primary microplastics and leachable plastic additives.

Selection of a density separation solution to study microplastics in tropical riverine sediment

A comparison of density separation solutions for extracting microplastics from tropical riverine sediment found that sodium iodide and zinc chloride achieved higher recovery rates than sodium chloride for dense polymers, but cost and environmental safety concerns favor NaCl for use in developing countries.

Preliminary Investigation of Microplastics in Sediments from Industrial Manufacturing Waste Sources

Microplastic contamination was investigated in sediments from industrial manufacturing waste sources, finding that plastics -- particularly polyethylene particles -- accumulate in sediments as repositories for both point-source and diffuse microplastic pollution.

Contamination Levels and Accumulation Profiles of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Surface Sediments from South Central Coast of Vietnam

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were quantified in surface sediments from the South Central Coast of Vietnam, characterizing sources, spatial distribution, and potential ecological risk from these hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants.

First evidence of microplastic-associated extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in the Red River Delta, Vietnam

Researchers collected microplastics from water in Vietnam's Red River Delta and found that bacteria clinging to the plastic surfaces carried antibiotic resistance genes — including genes that make bacteria resistant to important beta-lactam antibiotics — at higher rates than free-floating bacteria. The findings provide some of the first evidence that microplastics in this region are actively spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a serious public health concern.

Preliminary results on microplastics in surface water from the downstream of the Day River

Preliminary data from the Day River in Vietnam detected microplastics at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 5.6 items per liter in surface water, with fibers as the dominant type and higher concentrations near populated areas, establishing a baseline for further monitoring in Southeast Asian river systems.

Assess the Status of Plastic Waste Generation in Phu Tho Province and Solutions

This study assessed the status of plastic waste generation in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam, estimating waste loads from different sectors and proposing management strategies to reduce plastic pollution at the provincial scale.

Diversity and characteristics of microplastics in bivalves from Tam Giang Lagoon

This study found microplastics in all three bivalve species sampled from Vietnam's Tam Giang Lagoon—one of Southeast Asia's largest lagoon systems—with clams carrying the highest total proportion and green mussels showing the highest concentration per gram of tissue. Because bivalves are widely consumed in the region, their contamination represents a direct pathway for human microplastic ingestion.

Preliminary Investigation of Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Soil in Dong Anh District, Hanoi City

Agricultural soil samples from five sites in suburban Hanoi, Vietnam contained 494 to 1031 microplastic particles per kilogram of dry soil, with PET as the dominant polymer (38%) and fragments as the most common shape. The study provides baseline contamination data for a rapidly urbanizing agricultural region of Southeast Asia where plastic use and waste mismanagement are both growing. Documenting microplastic levels in food-producing soils is a critical first step for assessing dietary exposure risks for local populations.

Ten-year trends in microplastic deposition in sediments at the Lach Tray estuary, Hai Phong province, Vietnam