Microplastics – News and Features

Intravenous (IV) infusion bags could deliver thousands of microplastic particles directly into a person's bloodstream, new analysis suggests. Researchers recommend keeping IV bags away from heat and UV light to reduce microplastic shedding.

Researchers have developed a non-toxic, eco-friendly, solvent-free process for recycling PET plastic back into its monomers. The process harnesses moisture from the air and a simple catalyst, and can recover 94% of monomers in just 4 hours.

Microplastics are not just pollutants, but also highly complex materials that facilitate antimicrobial resistance, even without antibiotics, according to a new study.

A study found microplastics embedded in the lungs of wild birds, revealing the extent of airborne plastic pollution. Using advanced chemical analysis, researchers identified high concentrations of synthetic materials.

While controlled-release fertilizers can boost crop efficiency, a new study highlights their contribution to microplastic pollution in soils.

Researchers discovered that brewing tea naturally adsorbs heavy metals like lead and cadmium from water. The study tested various teas, bag types and steeping durations, finding that longer steeping reduce metal contaminants.

Researchers found nanoplastic contamination in Alpine glaciers, tracing the particles back to ocean waves and urban pollution. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, the study revealed airborne plastics from France, Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.

The AI program uses sophisticated machine learning algorithms to analyze thousands of samples in fractions of a second – a process that can take months for humans – to gain a crucial understanding of where and how we need to act.

Researchers have pinpointed for the first time how microplastics accumulate in coral reefs, a key step to understanding how to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Northwestern researchers created a reusable sponge that captures pollutants like phosphate, copper, and zinc from water while allowing resource recovery. By adjusting water pH, contaminants can be released and reused.