Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15255/CABEQ.2023.2181
Aquatic Toxicity of Polyethylene and Microcrystalline Cellulose Microbeads Used as Abrasives in Cosmetics
M. Miloloža
orcid.org/0000-0003-3719-8359
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Industrial Ecology, Trg Marka Marulića 19, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
U. Rozman
; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Process, Environmental and Biochemical Engineering, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
D. Kučić Grgić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Industrial Ecology, Trg Marka Marulića 19, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
G. Kalčikova
; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Process, Environmental and Biochemical Engineering, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Microplastics have been part of personal care products for years, but due to microplastic pollution, many companies have replaced microplastics with natural particles, such as microcrystalline cellulose. Although natural particles are considered more environmentally friendly, their ecotoxicological profile is unknown. In this context, the aim of this study was to compare the ecotoxicity of polyethylene and microcrystalline cellulose microbeads, both extracted from a cosmetic product. The effects of the two types of particles on the aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor and the crustacean Daphnia magna, as well as the bioadhesion of the particles to Lemna minor were evaluated. The results showed no significant effects of either particle on the specific growth rate, root length, and chlorophyll content of Lemna minor. The bioadhesion of both types of particles to the plant biomass was comparable. Furthermore, no significant effects were observed on the mobility and body length of Daphnia magna. Thus, the investigated polyethylene and cellulose microbeads showed no significant toxic effects on the tested organisms. However, due to the persistence of polyethylene in the environment, the use of polyethylene microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products should be avoided.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Keywords
cellulose particles; ecotoxicity; Daphnia magna; Lemna minor; microbeads; polyethylene
Hrčak ID:
308404
URI
Publication date:
4.10.2023.
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