In April 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic changed human behaviour worldwide, creating an increased demand for plastic, especially single-use plastic in the form of personal protective equipment. The pandemic also provided a unique situation for plastic pollution studies, especially microplastic studies. This study looks at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and three national lockdowns on microplastic abundance at five sites along the river Thames, UK, compared to pre-Covid-19 levels. This study took place from May 2019-May 2021, with 3-L water samples collected monthly from each site starting at Teddington and ending at Southend-on-Sea. A total of 4480 pieces, the majority of fibres (82.1 %), were counted using light microscopy. Lockdown 2 (November 2020) had the highest average microplastic total (27.1 L). A total of 691 pieces were identified via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Polyvinyl chloride (36.19 %) made up the most microplastics identified. This study documents changes in microplastic abundance before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, an unprecedented event, as well as documenting microplastic abundance along the river Thames from 2019 to 2021.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9951046 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114763 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Adding to the Woes: Heterogeneous Effects of Air Pollution on Pandemic Patients.
Health Econ
January 2025
School of International Trade and Economics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China.
While the direct health impacts of air pollution are widely discussed, its indirect effects, particularly during pandemics, are less explored. Utilizing detailed individual-level data from all designated hospitals in Wuhan during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, we examine the impact of air pollution exposure on treatment costs and health outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Our findings reveal that patients exposed more intensively to air pollution, identified by their residence in downwind areas of high-polluting enterprises, not only had worsened health outcomes but also consumed more medical resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNonhuman primate antigenic cartography of SARS-CoV-2.
Cell Rep
January 2025
Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address:
Virus neutralization profiles against primary infection sera and corresponding antigenic cartography are integral part of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine strain selection processes. Human single variant exposure sera have previously defined the antigenic relationships among SARS-CoV-2 variants but are now largely unavailable due to widespread population immunity. Therefore, antigenic characterization of future SARS-CoV-2 variants will require an animal model, analogous to using ferrets for influenza virus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical and pathologic stages of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
Ir J Med Sci
January 2025
Department of General Surgery, Sorgun State Hospital, Yozgat, 66700, Turkey.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical and pathological stages of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
Method: In this retrospective study, a total of 298 male and female patients over the age of 18 who were diagnosed with breast cancer and who were continuing surgical and oncologic treatment were included.
Results: Of the 298 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, 186 (62.
Unprecedented Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis After COVID-19 and Bacterial Infection.
Clin Pediatr (Phila)
January 2025
Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Trends in the Prevalence of Korean Adolescent Smokers According to Smoking Cessation Policy and COVID-19.
Asia Pac J Public Health
January 2025
Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea.
This study evaluates the influence of smoking cessation policies and COVID-19 on the prevalence of smoking among Korean adolescents from 2011 to 2020. Based on the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, trends in adolescent smoking behaviors were examined, including the impact of cigarette price increases, Pictorial Warning Labels (PWLs), and the onset of COVID-19. We used joinpoint regression analysis to discern annual changes in the prevalence of adolescent smokers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!