Quantification and characterization of microplastics present in hand sanitizers in Malaysia

ABDUL RAHIM, NORSYUHADA (2021) Quantification and characterization of microplastics present in hand sanitizers in Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK4 2021 41.pdf Download (12MB)

Abstract

Introduction: In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads throughout the world, including Malaysia, the demand for hand sanitizers increase. Hand sanitizers are popular because they are portable and useful when there are no available handwashing facilities. In hand sanitizers, microplastics are used for a variety of purposes, including film generation and viscosity adjustment. The increased use of hand sanitizers may contributes to the pollution of microplastics. Objective: To provide understanding of microplastics pollution from hand sanitizers as the source of microplastics pollution in Malaysia. Methodology: A total of 52 of spray and gel alcohol hand sanitizers were purchased from local stores in Malaysia. Micoplastics in spray and gel alcohol based hand sanitizers were analyzed using membrane filtration method. The colour, shape, and size of the microplastics were then determined using the Nikon Eclipse E200LED MV RS microscope and Image J 1.51 software. To determine the polymer composition, microplastics were further characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Result and discussion: Hand sanitizers included a range of microplastics in blue, yellow, and green with spherical and irregular shapes. Microplastics particles ranged in size from 0.52 to 920 μm. The FTIR study also showed the presence of polystyrene in hand sanitizers. It was estimated that hand sanitizers were projected to have released a total of 25.887 trillion microplastics into Malaysia's marine ecosystem. Conclusion: In conclusion, hand sanitizers contain microplastics are potentially contribute to Malaysia's microplastic pollution. Keyword: Hand sanitizer; microplastics; emission; environment

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	24 Aug 2023 04:37
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2023 04:37
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1025

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