Observing Microplastics in the Environment through Citizen-Science-Inspired Laboratory Investigations

Collier, Karen M.; McCance, Katherine; Jackson, Sarah E; Topliceanu, Ana; Blanchard, Margaret R.; Venditti, Richard A.

doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c01078

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 90 publications

(161 reference statements)

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“…As a valuable example, the importance of incorporating citizen science to assist in data collection and environmental education in MP research must increase. A higher societal inclusion in science through education projects results in the involvement of volunteers and increases the science capital in individuals with fewer science experiences [140].…”

Section: Bridging Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the Gaps between Microplastics and Human Health

Damaj,

Trad,

Goevert

et al. 2024

Microplastics

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Given the broad and intense use of plastic, society is being increasingly affected by its degradation and by-products, particularly by microplastics (MPs), fragments smaller than 5 mm in size, and nanoplastics (NPs), with sizes less than 1 µm. MPs and NPs may enter the body primarily through inhalation, consumption, and skin contact. Once ingested, MPs can penetrate tissues, deviating to other parts of the body and potentially affecting important cellular pathways such as nonconforming chemokine receptors that control the communication between the fetus and the mother. Consequently, the potential health harm induced via MP internalization is a major issue, evidenced by multiple studies demonstrating harmful consequences in diverse animal models and human cells. Here, an overview of the various modes of exposure to MPs and NPs is presented, including inhalation, placental transfer, ingestion, breastmilk consumption, and skin absorption, as well as placental and fetal toxicity due to plastic particles based on animal and in vitro studies. Though MPs in our environment are becoming more recognized, their developmental toxicity is still scarcely known. Besides negatively affecting pregnancy, MPs and NPs have been shown to potentially harm the developing fetus, given their ability to cross the placental barrier. Still, considerable gaps remain in our understanding of the dispersion and toxicity of these particles in the environment and the precise types of NPs and MPs bearing the greatest dangers. As a result, we advocate for larger-scale epidemiological investigations, the development of novel approaches for measuring NP and MP exposures, and the necessity of understanding the toxicity of various kinds of NPs to guide future research efforts.

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Section: Bridging Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the Gaps between Microplastics and Human Health

Damaj,

Trad,

Goevert

et al. 2024

Microplastics

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“…Participating in field experience throughout this CURE catered to diverse scientific interests among participants and demonstrated the potential for scientific work to be collaborative and interdisciplinary. Teaching laboratories, especially at the analytical chemistry and secondary level, have incorporated activities involving microplastics, but these procedures rarely require more than one laboratory period. − CUREs involve immersion into the research topic of interest, requiring a significant amount of class time to accomplish, so this CURE was designed to be conducted over an entire laboratory sequence (two semesters) in a freshman level undergraduate course.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A CURE for Microplastics: Introducing First-Year Honors Students to Environmental Chemistry through Undergraduate Research

Forakis,

Johnston,

March

2024

J. Chem. Educ.

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Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been shown to result in increased science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) persistence, but such experiences are rarely available for first-year STEM students. This work outlines the development and integration of a CURE into a year-long honors general chemistry laboratory sequence involving the detection of microplastics in a local watershed with Nile Red. This CURE was implemented over three academic years in collaboration with a local environmental preservation organization. Samples were collected as part of a field sampling trip with students, and a pre/post-questionnaire was administered each semester. The questionnaire investigated how this CURE impacted students' self-concept as scientists and behaviors regarding plastic use. Additionally, interviews were conducted with CURE and non-CURE laboratory students. Outcomes of participation in the CURE versus the traditional (non-CURE) sequence are discussed, including pre/post questionnaire results, inductive coding of interviews, and microplastic counts in Cahaba River water samples. Results demonstrate that this CURE is beneficial for students' scientific selfconcept and results in self-reporting of environmentally conscious behaviors around plastic use. This experience is appropriate for first-year STEM students but can be scaled to an upper-division laboratory or scaled down to a multiweek laboratory activity.

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