Papers

Can the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on human health really be assessed using in vitro models? A review of methodological issues

This review examines whether lab-based cell studies can reliably predict how micro and nanoplastics affect human health. The authors found significant inconsistencies in how researchers choose plastic particle types, doses, and exposure methods, making it hard to compare results across studies. The paper calls for standardized testing protocols so that lab findings can more accurately reflect real-world microplastic exposure risks to people.

An in vitro comparison of the toxicological profiles of ground tire particles (TP) and actual tire and road wear particles (TRWP) emissions

Researchers compared the lung toxicity of ground tire particles and real tire-and-road wear particles collected from traffic, finding that both triggered inflammation in alveolar immune cells (macrophages) but neither caused significant cell death or oxidative damage. Real road particles prompted slightly more inflammation than pure tire rubber, suggesting the rubber itself drives most of the lung harm from tire pollution.

A Journey from Processing to Recycling of Multilayer Waste Films: A Review of Main Challenges and Prospects

This study assessed microplastic contamination in beach sand from 11 tourist beaches in Greece, finding particles at all sites with higher concentrations near beach access points and concession areas. Styrofoam fragments and polypropylene pellets were the dominant particle types.

From smoking to vaping: a new environmental threat?

Microcapsule functionalization enables rate-determining release from cellulose nonwovens for long-term performance

Researchers demonstrated that encapsulating active compounds in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microcapsules and applying them to cellulose nonwoven textiles significantly extended the duration of controlled release, reducing environmental pollution from biocidal actives compared to conventional impregnation.

Phenomenological model of suspended sediment transport in a small catchment

This paper is not relevant to microplastics; it presents a hydrological model for suspended sediment transport in a small tropical river catchment in Guadeloupe.

Impact of medical face mask wear on bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability

Researchers investigated whether medical face masks could be safely worn beyond the manufacturer-recommended 4-hour limit, finding that extended wear under various simulated conditions affected bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability, with implications for reducing mask-related plastic waste.

The properties of hot household hygroscopic materials and their potential use for non-medical facemask decontamination

This study explored using hot hygroscopic household materials (like rice or salt) to decontaminate reusable face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The method offers a low-cost, accessible alternative for households facing mask shortages.

Structure, Morphology, and Surface Chemistry of Surgical Masks and Their Evolution up to 10 Washing Cycles

Researchers studied the structural, morphological, and surface chemistry changes in surgical masks subjected to up to 10 washing cycles, using scanning electron microscopy, wetting angle measurements, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that washing did not substantially change surface hydrophobicity, but documented fiber morphology changes that raise questions about filtration performance and microfiber release from reused masks.

Reusability of face masks: Influence of washing and comparison of performance between medical face masks and community face masks

Researchers tested the impact of 20 wash cycles at 60 degrees Celsius on the particle filtration efficiency and breathability of both medical face masks and reusable community face masks, measuring performance across particle sizes from 0.1 to 6.5 micrometers. They found that washing affected filtration efficiency differently between mask types, informing guidance on the safe reuse of masks and their relative environmental footprints.

Tracking the effects of dam construction and restoration on side channel biodiversity using macrofossils in river sediment records

Researchers used macrofossil analysis of fluvial sediment cores to reconstruct the effects of dam construction and subsequent restoration on side-channel biodiversity in anthropized rivers, focusing on plant macrofossil records from recent sediment archives with high hydro-sedimentary dynamics. The study demonstrated that plant macrofossils preserved in river sediments provide a tractable proxy for detecting ecological responses to human infrastructure changes over decadal timescales.