Despite progress in wastewater management, tiny plastic particles known as microplastics continue to evade treatment facilities, creating grave health and environmental concerns, reveals groundbreaking research from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Plastic's lightweight, durable, and cost-effective nature has made it a staple in nearly every consumer product—from food packaging to clothing and cosmetics. However, once these plastic items are discarded, they don't vanish; instead, they fragment into microplastics—particles less than five millimeters in size, comparable to the width of a pencil eraser—that infiltrate our soil and waterways.

Dr. Un-Jung Kim, an assistant professor at UT Arlington and lead author of the study published in *Science of the Total Environment*, states, "While many wastewater treatment plants significantly reduce microplastics, complete removal is still out of reach with existing technologies."

This loophole allows microplastics to re-enter our ecosystems, potentially transporting hazardous pollutants from wastewater, including toxic chemicals like Bisphenols, PFAS, and antibiotics. Dr. Kim cautions, "Though these pollutants may exist in trace amounts, we can ingest them through everyday activities like drinking water, doing laundry, or even watering our plants, raising the risk of severe long-term health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer."

The study also highlights a critical obstacle: the absence of standardized methods for detecting and measuring microplastics. To tackle this pressing problem, researchers advocate for a unified approach to define microplastic sizes and improve treatment methods.

Lead author Jenny Kim Nguyen, who began this research as an undergraduate, is now pursuing her master's in Earth and Environmental Sciences, focusing on developing standardized protocols for microplastics studies in air and water.

Co-author Karthikraj Rajendiran, an assistant professor from UTA's Bone Muscle Research Center, emphasizes, "Understanding microplastics is vital for addressing health impacts and improving mitigation strategies."

The team underscores the urgent need for increased public awareness about microplastics, enabling consumers to make environmentally conscious choices and combat the escalating plastic crisis.