Microplastics and Pollution

Road hazard: Evidence mounts on toxic pollution from tires

GreenBiz

OCTOBER 3, 2023

Researchers are only beginning to uncover the toxic cocktail of chemicals, microplastics and heavy metals hidden in car and truck tires. But experts say these tire emissions are a significant source of air and water pollution and may be affecting humans as well as wildlife.

Pollution

Pollution Microplastics

Study indicates marine plastic pollution as a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 24, 2025

Microplastics (plastic particles under 5mm) are a widespread environmental pollutant, with more than 120trillion estimated to have accumulated in the global ocean. Upon entering the environment, microplastics are rapidly colonized by diverse microbial communities, forming what is known as the Plastisphere.

Plastics

Plastics Microplastics Pollution Waste

Autonomous Draper Drone to detect microplastics in the water

Inhabitat - Innovation

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Microplastic pollution is everywhere, but its size—less than five millimeters in length—makes the threat almost invisible to the naked eye.

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution

Brazilian group presents novel method of analyzing microplastic pollution

Envirotec Magazine

MARCH 6, 2023

The last decade has seen some progress with studying plastic pollution, but there are still significant challenges, such as a lack of comparability of reported results, especially when it comes to microplastic particles. Few studies of pollution by MPs have been published in Brazil, especially regarding inland aquatic areas.

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution Plastics Health

Microplastics accelerate cell death at 3 times the normal rate, study says

Inhabitat - Innovation

OCTOBER 3, 2019

Researchers from the University Medical Centre (UMC) Utrecht recently announced that cells exposed to microplastics experience cell death three times faster than those that are not. With microplastic pollution everywhere, the findings are sobering.

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution

Study maps human uptake of microplastics across 109 countries

Envirotec Magazine

MAY 28, 2024

Indonesians eat more microplastics per month than any other country, said the study, with most of it coming from seafood (image credit: raulbaldean / Shutterstock.com). That is a 59-fold increase in daily microplastic consumption from 1990 to 2018, the date range used for the models. grams per month, while the lowest is Paraguay at 0.85

Microplastics

Microplastics Seafood Plastics Asia

Using microbes to remove microplastics

Envirotec Magazine

MAY 12, 2021

Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed a seemingly new technique to trap and recover microplastics. The method uses bacterial biofilms, a sticky substance created by micro-organisms, to trap microplastic particles. In bioreactors, this makes the microplastics more convenient to collect, according to Liu.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Organic Recycling

How old is that microplastic? A new way to estimate the age of microplastics in the upper ocean

Envirotec Magazine

MAY 16, 2023

Researchers have developed a new way to estimate the age of microplastics found in the upper oceans. The team – from Kyushu University and Asahi Kasei Corporation – applied their new method to estimate the age of microplastics found in nearshore and offshore sites in the North Pacific Ocean.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Pollution Waste

Survey identifies significant micro plastic pollution on summit of Snowdon

Envirotec Magazine

AUGUST 24, 2021

Geoscience technology firm CGG has conducted a microplastics pollution survey as part of a scoping study into whether it would be possible to create a “Plastic Free zone” on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). On Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), microplastic content was naturally highest where people congregate in large numbers.

Plastics

Plastics Pollution Microplastics Soil

Washing machine filter captures microplastic without the need for disposables

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 5, 2022

Bristol based microplastic technology company Matter is launching Gulp, “the first sustainable, long-lasting washing machine microfibre filter” on Kickstarter from 11 October. and recycling of microplastics, and says it is focused on “cradle-to-cradle solutions”, with a mission to stop microplastic pollution at source.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Recycling Recycling

Microplastics collect heavy metals, reports study from Ulaanbaatar

Envirotec Magazine

AUGUST 3, 2023

Surface cracks and biofilms on plastic particles might help spread pollution Concerns about microplastic pollution arise not only because of the particles themselves, but also from whatever cargo they might be carrying. Surface features such as holes and biofilms also increase this propensity to collect pollutants.

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution Energy Monitor Building Energy Monitoring

Microplastics: 77% more found in River Thames during lockdown may be due to discarded face masks and PPE

Envirotec Magazine

APRIL 14, 2023

By Ria Devereux , PhD Student, Microplastic Pollution, University of East London, writing in The Conversation. At a first glance the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to have a positive impact on the environment, with significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, and transport-related noise, air and light pollution.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Pollution Waste

Microplastic pollution in landfill leachate: A few drips of progress?

Envirotec Magazine

JULY 11, 2024

The microplastic pollution that turns up in landfill leachate has received much less attention than the stuff appearing in wastewater, and there seem to be far fewer studies exploring it. ” Another important issue is remediation, and how best to remove microplastics from leachate. link] [2] ibid

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution Plastics Waste

Microplastics: Six surprising everyday things that contain and release them

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Microplastics have become so widespread that they have been discovered in fresh Antarctic snow. Microplastics are minute pieces of plastic – less than five millimeters in length. However, typical plastic waste isn’t the only source of microplastics. Just imagine how many microplastics they consume by chewing toys.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Waste Waste

Atlantic has 10 times the microplastics previously thought

Inhabitat - Innovation

AUGUST 20, 2020

But a new study of plastic in the Atlantic Ocean reveals the pollution problem is ten times worse than scientists suspected. We knew it was bad.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Pollution

A few thoughts on tackling microplastic pollution

Envirotec Magazine

JUNE 8, 2023

Dr Rosa Busquets is Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry and Forensics at Kingston University What are microplastics, why are they such a problem and what can be done to reduce the pollution they cause? From studies involving organisms, we know that microplastics can cause inflammation, which is a common step in many diseases.

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution Plastics Biodegradable

First demonstration that forests trap airborne microplastics

Envirotec Magazine

MARCH 28, 2024

A research group in Japan has demonstrated that airborne microplastics adsorb to the epicuticular wax on the surface of forest canopy leaves, and that forests may act as terrestrial sinks for airborne microplastics The study used a new technique to measure the levels of microplastics adhering to the leaves.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Soil Health

Government is “passing water pollution buck to the car industry”, experts warn

Envirotec Magazine

AUGUST 22, 2019

Poisonous particle pollution from brake and tyre wear is carried in runoff then enters rivers and streams. Particles from brake and tyre wear include copper and zinc, microplastics and a group of chemicals called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Yet, urban runoff persists as a forgotten polluter.

Pollution

Pollution Microplastics Government Health

How will climate change affect microplastics already in the environment?

Envirotec Magazine

MAY 30, 2024

Understanding why climate change might contribute to increasing plastic pollution is the focus of a new research project starting this month at the University of Portsmouth. Until now, studies have concentrated solely on microplastics shedding from brand-new plastics.

Microplastics

Microplastics Climate change Plastics Ocean acidification

Plastic pollution in the ocean may harbour novel antiobiotics

Envirotec Magazine

JUNE 13, 2022

Plastic pollution in the ocean may serve as a source for novel antibiotics, according to a new student-led study conducted in collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. A polyethylene bag floats in the open sea.

Plastics

Plastics Pollution Microplastics Incubators

What scientists have learned from 20 years of microplastics research

Grist

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

While many previous reports had documented the buildup of plastic bottles and bags in the natural environment, much less attention had been paid to what the scientists dubbed “microplastics.” One thing that has become much clearer since the early 2000s is the sheer extent of microplastic pollution.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Pollution Health

Interview with dolphins-and-microplastics study authors

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 21, 2024

A recent paper in PLOS One presents evidence of dolphin inhalation of microplastics. What first drew you to study microplastic inhalation in dolphins, and why did you choose to investigate this topic? We do not yet know exactly where these chemicals are coming from, but the evidence points to plastic pollution as a possible source.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Health Transportation

Microplastics are in human testicles. It’s still not clear how they got there.

Grist

MAY 23, 2024

No human organ is safe from microplastic contamination, it seems — not even the testicles. Researchers at the University of Mexico recently tested 70 samples of testicular tissue — 47 from dogs and 23 from humans — and found microplastics in every single one. So how do the microplastics get into people’s bodies?

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Seafood Medicine

Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD

Envirotec Magazine

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Most plastic pollution comes from inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris known as macroplastics, but leakage of microplastics (synthetic polymers smaller than 5 mm in diameter) from things like industrial plastic pellets, synthetic textiles, road markings and tyre wear are also a serious concern.

Plastics

Plastics Waste Waste Recycling

LDIR microplastic analysis used in the Indian Ocean

Envirotec Magazine

JUNE 10, 2022

Methods for the analysis of microplastic particles in a sample (of water) are beset by challenges such as high error rates and a high time requirement. The chemical characterization of the microplastic particles is based on their absorption of infrared light. Near-surface analysis.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Pollution Waste

Retention ponds can reduce tyre particle pollution

Envirotec Magazine

MAY 2, 2024

The study also found that tyre wear particles significantly outweighed other forms of microplastics, such as plastic fibres and fragments, in the samples collected but that they were also removed in far greater quantities. Easy come, easy go? It was funded by UK National Highways.

Pollution

Pollution Microplastics Construction Plastics

Study analyzes microplastics’ effect on clouds

Envirotec Magazine

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

A new study sheds light on the quantity and type of microplastics present in clouds. The researchers analyzed cloud water samples from high-altitude mountains in Japan to ascertain the amount of microplastics in them. Microplastics in the free troposphere are transported and contribute to global pollution,” said Okochi.

Microplastics

Microplastics Global warming Plastics Climate change

Microplastics Can Transport Parasites to Oceans, Impacting Wildlife and Humans

Green Living Guy

JUNE 7, 2022

Microplastics are a pathway for pathogens on land to reach the ocean. The study, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, is the first to connect microplastics in the ocean with land-based pathogens. It can lead to consequences for human and wildlife health, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Microplastics

Microplastics Transportation Health Electricity

Report pulls back the curtain on chemical pollution in the ocean

Envirotec Magazine

APRIL 8, 2022

A new report attempts to provide a diagnostic of the scale of the ocean pollution challenge facing humanity. The Invisible Wave: Getting to zero chemical pollution in the ocean has been prodeuced by Back to Blue, an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation.

Pollution

Pollution Plastics Microplastics Fossil fuels

French cleantech startup Calyxia nets $35M to tackle microplastics pollution

TechCrunch: Climate

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

Startups

Startups Microplastics Pollution

Research: 'Substantial quantities' of microplastics from tyres contaminating rivers and oceans

Business Green

MAY 27, 2020

University of Plymouth-led study notes that microplastics shed from vehicle tyres are putting millions of square metres of UK waters at risk of contamination. Vehicle tyres have been confirmed as a leading source of microplastic pollution in the ocean and rivers, according to scientists.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Pollution Transportation

Prioritise tackling toxic emissions from tyres, urge experts

Envirotec Magazine

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

A new briefing paper from Imperial College London attempts a deep dive on the pollution produced by the particles sloughed off from vehicle tyres. Even if all our vehicles eventually become powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels, we will still have harmful pollution from vehicles because of tyre wear. “We

Pollution

Pollution Health Microplastics Transportation

Review warns of knowledge gaps in our understanding of leave-on personal care and cosmetic products

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Microplastics which have been used in leave-on cosmetic and personal care products are being overlooked by research and regulators, according to a new critical review conducted by scientists at the University of Birmingham. The research found that, of 2,381 products studied, only two were leave-on products.

Microplastics

Microplastics Health Plastics Pollution

Nanoplastic pollution found at both of Earth’s poles for first time

Grist

JANUARY 31, 2022

Nanoplastic pollution has been detected in polar regions for the first time, indicating that the tiny particles are now pervasive around the world. The nanoparticles are smaller and more toxic than microplastics, which have already been found across the globe, but the impact of both on people’s health is unknown. We don’t know yet.”.

Pollution

Pollution Microplastics Plastics North America

A different kind of youth activist: Meet the high schoolers who invented a microplastics solution

Grist

JUNE 5, 2024

Victoria and Justin Huang, two 17-year-olds from The Woodlands College Park High School in Texas, designed a system that filters microplastic particles out of water using ultrasound waves. For my project that year, I actually did plastic pollution, which is how this kind of all started. Their project received the Gordon E. Justin: Ms.

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Health Pollution

Natural clean-up: Bacteria can remove plastic pollution from lakes

Envirotec Magazine

JULY 27, 2022

The scientists say that enriching waters with particular species of bacteria could be a natural way to remove plastic pollution from the environment. The effect is pronounced: the rate of bacterial growth more than doubled when plastic pollution raised the overall carbon level in lake water by just 4%.

Plastics

Plastics Pollution Carbon Organic

Plant extracts

Envirotec Magazine

MAY 9, 2022

The goo from that fruit and other plants, such as aloe, cactus and psylium, can also clean water and wastewater of some types of solid pollutants, as well as some that are dissolved. Now, researchers say they have demonstrated that combinations of these food-grade plant extracts can remove microplastics from wastewater.

Microplastics

Microplastics Pollution Plastics Health

All that plastic in the ocean is a climate change problem, too

Grist

OCTOBER 17, 2022

When you think of plastic pollution, you might imagine ocean “ garbage patches ” swirling with tens of millions of plastic bottles and shopping bags. But unfolding alongside the “macroplastic” pollution crisis is another threat caused by much smaller particles: microplastics. So where do microplastics come in?

Plastics

Plastics Climate change Microplastics Carbon

Against the grain

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 16, 2023

Microplastics are everywhere: We know that much. Even the definition of “microplastics” is slippery. And not all rivers carry the same load of microplastics. Road run-off is another source – and vehicle tyres are a particular contributor to this pollution. But should we be worried? What can we do about it?

Microplastics

Microplastics Plastics Soil Waste

Fashion industry accused of water pollution blindspot

Business Green

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

The fashion industry has been accused of being "blind" to the risks of water pollution by a new report from investor-backed environmental disclosure platform CDP. Yet, of 136 businesses whose investors requested impact assessments on water pollution, only 62 - or 46 per cent - provided data in 2019.

Fashion

Fashion Pollution Microplastics Agriculture

Call for government to make swift decision on ban on plastic in wet wipes

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 10, 2022

The government needs to make an immediate decision on banning plastic in wet wipes in order to help tackle this sewage-based pollution ending up in the River Thames, environmental charity Thames21 has urged. When they end up on the foreshore, they eventually break down into microplastic and damage aquatic life and the Thames’ ecosystem.

Plastics

Plastics Government Microplastics Pollution

Car tires produce vastly more particle pollution than exhausts, tests show

Grist

JUNE 10, 2022

Almost 2,000 times more particle pollution is produced by tire wear than is pumped out of the exhausts of modern cars, tests have shown. Air pollution causes millions of early deaths a year globally. Tailpipes are now so clean for pollutants that, if you were starting out afresh, you wouldn’t even bother regulating them.”.

Pollution

Pollution Microplastics Organic Soil

Road hazard: Evidence mounts on toxic pollution from tires

Study indicates marine plastic pollution as a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria

Trending Sources

Autonomous Draper Drone to detect microplastics in the water

Brazilian group presents novel method of analyzing microplastic pollution

Microplastics accelerate cell death at 3 times the normal rate, study says

Study maps human uptake of microplastics across 109 countries

Using microbes to remove microplastics

How old is that microplastic? A new way to estimate the age of microplastics in the upper ocean

Survey identifies significant micro plastic pollution on summit of Snowdon

Washing machine filter captures microplastic without the need for disposables

Microplastics collect heavy metals, reports study from Ulaanbaatar

Microplastics: 77% more found in River Thames during lockdown may be due to discarded face masks and PPE

Microplastic pollution in landfill leachate: A few drips of progress?

Microplastics: Six surprising everyday things that contain and release them

Atlantic has 10 times the microplastics previously thought

A few thoughts on tackling microplastic pollution

First demonstration that forests trap airborne microplastics

Government is “passing water pollution buck to the car industry”, experts warn

How will climate change affect microplastics already in the environment?

Sponsored content: Microplastic and pollution removal partnership extended

Plastic pollution in the ocean may harbour novel antiobiotics

What scientists have learned from 20 years of microplastics research

Interview with dolphins-and-microplastics study authors

Microplastics are in human testicles. It’s still not clear how they got there.

Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD

LDIR microplastic analysis used in the Indian Ocean

Retention ponds can reduce tyre particle pollution

Sponsored Content: Purifiers remove microplastics and PFAS

Study analyzes microplastics’ effect on clouds

Microplastics Can Transport Parasites to Oceans, Impacting Wildlife and Humans

Report pulls back the curtain on chemical pollution in the ocean

French cleantech startup Calyxia nets $35M to tackle microplastics pollution

Research: 'Substantial quantities' of microplastics from tyres contaminating rivers and oceans

Prioritise tackling toxic emissions from tyres, urge experts

Review warns of knowledge gaps in our understanding of leave-on personal care and cosmetic products

Nanoplastic pollution found at both of Earth’s poles for first time

A different kind of youth activist: Meet the high schoolers who invented a microplastics solution

Natural clean-up: Bacteria can remove plastic pollution from lakes

Plant extracts

All that plastic in the ocean is a climate change problem, too

Against the grain

Fashion industry accused of water pollution blindspot

Call for government to make swift decision on ban on plastic in wet wipes

Car tires produce vastly more particle pollution than exhausts, tests show

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