Assessment of microplastic release from facial and body scrubs in aquatic ecosystems

Abstract

This study investigated the presence and characteristics of MPs in commonly used face and body scrubs. Six commercially available scrub brands were analyzed using various techniques, including SEM, FTIR, EDX, and DLS. The scrubs examined in this study were meticulously selected from markets in Mashhad. These cosmetic products were treated with H₂O₂ and agitated for 15 min. Finally, the shape, color, and total number of MPs were analyzed using microscopy. The findings revealed that the concentration of MPs detected per gram of scrub across the different brands was 298.66 ± 60 particles. The MPs identified in all brands were predominantly composed of PE. The results indicated a significant correlation between the number of MPs and the brand used (P value < 0.05). The findings indicated that MPs were primarily composed of carbon (84.42%) and oxygen (13.73%). These materials displayed numerous grooves and a considerable degree of surface irregularity. Furthermore, the zeta potential of the MPs in all samples was measured at − 36 mV. According to the results, 50% of the MPs were colorless, 36% were white, and 14% had a shiny appearance (P value < 0.05). Additionally, the forms of the MPs were observed in the following order of prevalence: irregular (38%), filamentous (31%), sharp (15%), fragmentary (8%), and spherical (8%) (P value < 0.05). The sizes of the MPs ranged from 0.147 to 2.133 mm (P value < 0.05). The MPLI analysis indicated that approximately half of the scrubs exhibited significant contamination. The study also estimated the potential release of MPs into the environment via wastewater treatment plants, underscoring the substantial contribution of cosmetics to MP pollution.