Occurrence, analysis, and toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics: a review
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 5 April 2025
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Nature in Environmental Chemistry Letters
- Vol. 23 (4) , 1025-1059
Abstract
Global microplastic contamination of almost all biological and environmental media is an emerging threat to human health that recently fostered intense research. Here, we review polyethylene terephthalate with focus on microplastics, characteristics, uses, concentration, degradation, toxicity, and remediation. Plastic remediation can be done by landfills, incineration, pyrolysis, and biodegradation. We present microplastic occurrence in food, beverages, dust, wildlife, and human tissues. We observed inconsistencies in measurement techniques, limitations in detection reliability, and gaps in risk assessment.Keywords
Funding Information
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (965196)
- Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (PID2020-116789RB-C43)
- Direcció General de Recerca, Generalitat de Catalunya (2021-SGR-00731)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
This publication has 303 references indexed in Scilit:
- Interactions between microplastics and Culex sp. larvae in wastewaterWater Environment Research, 2024
- A focused review on recycling and hydrolysis techniques of polyethylene terephthalatePolymer Engineering & Science, 2023
- Sex‐specific effects of PET‐MPs onDrosophilalifespanArchives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 2022
- A review on poly lactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable polymerPolymer Bulletin, 2022
- Catalytic Transformation of PET and CO2 into High‐Value ChemicalsAngewandte Chemie International Edition, 2022
- Sustainability performance of polyethylene terephthalate, clarifying challenges and opportunitiesJournal of Polymer Science, 2021
- PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate – The Ubiquitous 500 ml Water Bottle2020
- Microplastics as contaminants in commercially important seafood speciesIntegrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 2017
- Screening of commercial enzymes for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hydrolysis and synergy studies on different substrate sourcesJournal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2017
- Antimicrobial functionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics with waterborne N‐halamine epoxidesJournal of Applied Polymer Science, 2015