Yuhang Sun , Ping Han , Jing Li , Qi Gao , Mingyu Zhao , Kai Wang , Zhan Wang , Ercheng Zhao , Hongtao Zou , Junxue Wu
{"title":"Biochar derived from spent mushroom substrate for efficient atrazine removal in aqueous solution","authors":"Yuhang Sun , Ping Han , Jing Li , Qi Gao , Mingyu Zhao , Kai Wang , Zhan Wang , Ercheng Zhao , Hongtao Zou , Junxue Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100951","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100951","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Given its extensive global usage and environmental persistence conferred by the stable triazine ring structure, the frequent detection of atrazine (ATZ) in the environment poses ecological and health risks. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), as a widely available and low-cost agricultural waste, and its lignocellulosic composition and inherent porosity are conducive to generating highly aromatic and porous biochar structures for adsorbing ATZ. This study pioneeringly prepared biochar (BC) and acid-treated BC derived from SMSs of <em>Pleurotus ostreatus, Oudemansiella apalosarca</em>, and <em>Lentinula edodes</em>) via pyrolysis at 800 °C. Comprehensive characterization confirmed that the physicochemical properties of BC were significantly influenced by feedstock origin and acid treatment. Acid treatment improved specific surface area, porosity, and aromaticity, and alongside reduced hydrophilic ash content. Batch experiments indicated that acid-treated BC improved ATZ adsorption efficiency with removal rates increasing by 3.5–5.6 times, following the order of APBC (98.2 %) > AOBC (38.4 %) > ALBC (27.1 %). Adsorption kinetics and isotherms indicated heterogeneous surface interactions and multi-mechanism involvement. The elevated log<em>K</em><sub>OC</sub> values of acid-treated BC reflected stronger affinity for ATZ on organic carbon-enriched sites. Mechanistic analysis quantified four dominant pathways with distinct contribution ranges of pore filling (2.2–42.4 %), hydrophobic partitioning (2.2–47.2 %), π–π electron donor-acceptor interactions (15.6–49.8 %), and hydrogen bonding (0.9–35.0 %). Thermodynamic studies revealed spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy-driven adsorption processes, and adsorption capacity of ATZ was favored under acidic and high-temperature conditions. These findings not only offer a solution for agricultural byproducts SMSs reuse into high-efficiency adsorbents through pyrolysis and acid modification but also establish a method to mitigate pesticide contamination in aqueous systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100951"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145594790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Co-doped LaFeO₃ perovskites for efficient Pb²⁺ removal from water","authors":"Nishat Anzum , Fariha Masud , Md․Amran Sarker , Tinni Dey Prome , Abrar Daiyan , Takian Fakhrul","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The persistence of Pb²⁺ in aquatic systems necessitates efficient and recyclable adsorbents for sustainable remediation. In this work, pure LaFeO₃ (LFO) and Co-doped LaFeO₃ (LaFe₀.₉Co₀.₁O₃ and LaFe₀.₈Co₀.₂O₃) nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol-gel auto-combustion route and evaluated for lead removal from water. Structural analyses confirmed a single-phase orthorhombic perovskite structure with systematic reductions in lattice parameters and crystallite size upon cobalt substitution. Charge neutrality was maintained through the formation of tetravalent Fe⁴⁺ species, while XPS revealed the coexistence of oxygen vacancies and mixed Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ valence states that collectively promote enhanced adsorption behavior. Optical measurements revealed a tunable bandgap, decreasing from 2.23 eV to 1.82 eV with increasing Co content, a trend further corroborated by DFT analysis. LaFe₀.₈Co₀.₂O₃ exhibited the highest Pb²⁺ adsorption efficiency, removing 2.49 ppm of Pb²⁺ from a 3.88 ppm solution, corresponding to a 64.2 % removal. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm. Enhanced magnetic properties with increasing Co content facilitate magnetic separation and indicate potential for future reusability. These results highlight that Co doping simultaneously improves adsorption performance and magnetic response, establishing Co-doped LFO nanoparticles as a promising perovskite-based platform for Pb²⁺ removal in water purification applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 101028"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sea-Ho Oh , James J. Schauer , Seoyeong Choe , Hajeong Jeon , Min-Suk Bae
{"title":"Source apportionment of the oxidative potential of size-resolved urban particulate matter: Importance of combustion and regional transport","authors":"Sea-Ho Oh , James J. Schauer , Seoyeong Choe , Hajeong Jeon , Min-Suk Bae","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100963","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100963","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the oxidative potential of fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) in a metropolitan area by analyzing particle number size distribution and chemical composition across diurnal patterns. The oxidative potential was quantified using the dithiothreitol assay, normalized to 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (QDTT-OP). The QDTT-OP was apportioned to four sources: waste PET and wood burning (141 nm, 33 %), vehicle emissions (46 nm, 32 %), long-range transport (>429 nm, 22 %), and in-situ condensation process (15 nm, 13 %). Waste burning, characterized by the presence of terephthalic acid and levoglucosan accounted for the highest QDTT-OP during nighttime. Vehicle emissions were aligned with rush-hour peaks, while long-range transport was associated with elevated levels of secondary inorganic aerosols during regional intrusion events. In-situ condensation process, characterized by ultrafine particles, occurred during the early morning hours. The integration of positive matrix factorization with particle sizing and tracer analysis facilitated detailed identification of QDTT-OP sources. These results highlight the importance of addressing both regional combustion-related emissions and transported aerosols in assessments of PM<sub>2.5</sub> oxidative potential and associated public health impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100963"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Michel-Malfait , O. Bour , X. Berterreche de Mendite , J. Fournier , L. Moncorps , W. Almouallem , S. Dorge , G. Trouve
{"title":"O-PAC fate and transport in soils: A comparative study with PAHs under dynamic mode and influence of the flow conditions","authors":"J. Michel-Malfait , O. Bour , X. Berterreche de Mendite , J. Fournier , L. Moncorps , W. Almouallem , S. Dorge , G. Trouve","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (O-PACs) have been detected in soils and groundwater at sites polluted by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), raising concerns due to their higher toxicity and potential to form larger pollution plumes. This study investigated O-PAC behavior in soils and identified the underlying mechanisms and influencing parameters. Breakthrough curves were generated to characterize the sorption of a PAH (fluorene – FLU) and an O-PAC (9H-fluorenone – FLUone), using soil columns at the laboratory scale. Desorption curves were also measured. These curves were modeled using the HYDRUS-1D model. The effects of pollutant concentration and influent flow rate were studied. Results indicated that FLUone exhibited a lower affinity for the soil matrix compared to FLU. This suggested that upon release from pollution sources in soils, O-PACs could migrate more rapidly to groundwater than PAHs, potentially forming larger pollution plumes. Additionally, the results confirmed that FLUone sorption onto soil was primarily controlled by surface mechanisms, with intra-aggregate diffusion playing a minor role. This finding was supported by the dependency of FLUone sorption on inlet solution concentration and corroborated by the modeling, indicating a lower sensitivity of the number of instantaneous sorption sites to a flow rate change. Nevertheless, results showed that lower O-PAC concentrations were associated with a higher proportion of intra-particle diffusion processes. FLUone sorption was more reversible than FLU sorption, indicating that O-PACs could be preferentially released from polluted soils. All these results highlighted the need to consider O-PACs alongside PAHs in polluted site characterization and monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 101020"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nasrul Arahman , Nafiu Umar Barambu , Mohammad Roil Bilad , Sri Mulyati , Cut Meurah Rosnelly , Sri Aprilia
{"title":"Strategies for the development of antifouling membranes for liquid filtration: A review","authors":"Nasrul Arahman , Nafiu Umar Barambu , Mohammad Roil Bilad , Sri Mulyati , Cut Meurah Rosnelly , Sri Aprilia","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100958","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100958","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Membrane technology has been embraced as the best technology for process separation and purification by virtue of its economic and environmental advantages. The performance of membrane technology is assessed by its selectivity and hydraulic output, which are challenged by membrane fouling. Membrane fouling encourages hydraulic resistance and retarded the selectivity of the membrane. Therefore, membrane fouling is the prime downside of membrane technology and it can be modulated by developing the membrane surface chemistry and/or the filtration system hydrodynamics. Membrane surface chemistry and filtration system hydrodynamics development for membrane fouling control have been intensively explored and many concepts are emerging day by day. Therefore, its paramount to review the performance of the emerging concepts and develop a roadmap for exploration of new concepts. This manuscript reviews the recent advances in membrane surface chemistry and filtration system hydrodynamics development for membrane fouling control in liquid filtration. The focus is mainly on the mechanisms and limitations of membrane surface chemistry and filtration system hydrodynamics development for membrane fouling mitigation. Moreover, the manuscript also outlined the future perspectives of membrane surface chemistry and filtration system hydrodynamics development for optimum membrane fouling control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100958"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fate modeling and spatial health risk assessment of urban polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using a kilometer-resolution multimedia model","authors":"Ruiming Nie , Zhuangbo Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100993","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100993","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as highly carcinogenic persistent pollutants, pose challenges for assessing urban multimedia distribution and exposure risks due to limited spatial resolution of conventional models. Traditional fugacity models, constrained by homogeneity assumptions, fail to capture environmental heterogeneity in high-density cities. This study developed a kilometer-resolution steady-state multimedia model to characterize the fate and health risks of PAHs in Nanjing, with model predictions validated against measured concentrations across 13 environmental compartments. The results reveal a distinct concentration hierarchy: organic film > sediment > soil > vegetation > water > atmosphere. Organic film (57.2–68.7 %) and water (28.5–37.5 %) are the dominant contributors to incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), highlighting their priority for risk management. Health risks exhibit significant age differentiation: children are more sensitive to atmospheric PAH exposure, adolescents are predominantly affected by soil, vegetation, and organic film, and overall ILCR follows the gradient Adults > Youths > Children (ranging from 1.22 × 10<sup>–9</sup> to 4.00 × 10<sup>–5</sup>), driven by age-dependent behavioral and physiological differences. Among individual PAHs, BaP (54.12 %-56.10 %) and DahA (20.47 %-23.39 %) dominate cumulative toxicity risks. Assessment of eight toxicity endpoints identifies respiratory toxicity, carcinogenicity, estrogen receptor toxicity, aryl hydrocarbon receptor toxicity, and antioxidant response disruption as core health impacts, primarily driven by high-molecular-weight PAHs. This high-resolution modeling framework enables precise identification of urban PAH pollution hotspots and age-specific exposure risks, providing critical scientific support for targeted pollution control and public health protection in high-density cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100993"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nafeesa Khatoon , Sartaj Ali , Zeyang Li , Mingyi Xue , Yue Han , Teng Pan , Xiaoan Zhang , Zengli Yu , Xin Zhao
{"title":"From source to prediction: Heavy metals toxicity, health risks, detection techniques and AI- enhanced predictive models (2019–2024)","authors":"Nafeesa Khatoon , Sartaj Ali , Zeyang Li , Mingyi Xue , Yue Han , Teng Pan , Xiaoan Zhang , Zengli Yu , Xin Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heavy metal toxicity seriously threatens the health of people, plants, and the food chain in developing countries. A review of the Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Springer, and Scopus databases was performed to assess the sources, exposure, toxicity mechanism, human health aspects, and detection techniques related to Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu between 2019 and 2024. Moreover, AI-powered models particularly Random Forest (RF) for predictive analysis and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for spatial mapping to highlight significant contamination hotspot, were examined for their efficiency and reliability to identify and detect the distribution of heavy metals. The environment is frequently polluted with heavy metals as a result of improper home waste disposal, industrial and agricultural operations, and overuse of pesticides and fertilizers in developing countries. China contributed the most to heavy metals research, followed by the United States. The accumulation and exposure to heavy metals lead to potential outcomes in humans. Long-term exposure to certain heavy metals is significantly associated with increased risk of developing various cancer types such as prostate, lung, throat, breast, blood, and brain cancers. The current study found in light of the existing identification and detection techniques' pros and cons, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is a promising technique to quantify and detect heavy metals owing to its rapid, on-site, and non-destructive screening method.</div><div>Based on gaps found in the literature, the current review suggests that integrating AI algorithms with nanotechnology and new biosensor platforms to accomplish high-precision, real-time environmental monitoring is an important future direction. To protect the community, longitudinal health studies, biomonitoring, and the use of green remediation technologies should be encouraged.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100981"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sheng Huang , Falin Zhou , Ziyang Cao , Dianchang Zhang , Qibin Yang , Song Jiang , Lishi Yang , Jianhua Huang , Erchao Li , Yundong Li
{"title":"Comparative evaluation of four nanocarriers in shrimp larvae and transcriptomic dissection of mesoporous silica nanoparticle-induced stress","authors":"Sheng Huang , Falin Zhou , Ziyang Cao , Dianchang Zhang , Qibin Yang , Song Jiang , Lishi Yang , Jianhua Huang , Erchao Li , Yundong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To evaluate the biocompatibility of various nanomaterials in aquatic invertebrates and their biocompatibility profiles relevant to gene delivery applications, this study systematically compares the effects of four representative nanocarriers—mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), chitosan derivatives (CTMT), PEI–PEG copolymers (TNP), and lipid nanoparticles (LNP)—across four developmental stages of <em>Penaeus monodon</em> (Nauplius, Zoea, Mysis, and Post-larva). Acute effects on larval survival and development, tissue injury, and molecular responses were comprehensively assessed through mortality rates, morphological abnormalities, and multichannel fluorescence staining. Among the tested materials, MSN induced the most pronounced cellular damage and lethality at all stages, whereas TNP and LNP caused lower mortality, fewer larval malformations, and weaker cellular stress responses, indicating superior biocompatibility. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that MSN exposure triggered extensive differential gene expression associated with energy metabolism, protease regulation, and immune response, displaying distinct stage-specific patterns. Core gene network analysis identified <em>RHOA, CASP1</em>, and <em>Spn88Ea</em> as key mediators potentially involved in MSN-induced apoptosis and stress responses. Collectively, the findings indicate that TNP and LNP exhibit higher biocompatibility and may represent safer candidates for future nucleic-acid delivery studies, whereas MSN, despite its structural advantages, requires stringent control of dosage and exposure duration prior to application. This study provides essential data and theoretical support for the selection and safety evaluation of nano-delivery systems in aquatic animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 101030"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Smart textiles for pollutant gas sensor and capture: Advancement and future perspective","authors":"Desalegn Atalie , Yared Fikre","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The burgeoning field of smart textiles for pollutant gas sensing and capture is poised to revolutionize personal safety and environmental monitoring, offering a crucial alternative to bulky, stationary systems by providing personalized, real-time data. This comprehensive review synthesizes the latest advancements across the entire technology spectrum, starting with fundamental sensing principles. We analyze the mechanisms, materials, and recent breakthroughs in chemiresistive sensing (leveraging materials like graphene and carbon nanotubes for high-sensitivity electronic response) and optical/colorimetric sensing (providing visible, quantifiable feedback). Furthermore, we detail the active pollutant removal capabilities, encompassing adsorption such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for high-capacity capture), absorption, and catalytic conversion (for proactive pollutant neutralization). The review highlights the role of innovative nanomaterials and the scalability of key fabrication methods, including inkjet, screen printing, electrospinning, and <em>In-situ</em> growth. These technologies underpin promising applications in personal protective equipment, indoor air quality monitoring, environmental protection, and medical diagnostics. Ultimately, while smart textiles hold immense potential, their widespread integration hinges on overcoming critical challenges in ensuring long-term durability, developing flexible and efficient power solutions, and prioritizing sustainable, eco-friendly design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 101038"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yixiang Que , Zhilei Zhang , Yunchou Wu , Weyland Cheng , Longfei Wang , Yanfan Wang , Yaodong Zhang , Kuo Lu
{"title":"Detection and characterization of microplastics in commercial eye drops: A novel ocular exposure pathway","authors":"Yixiang Que , Zhilei Zhang , Yunchou Wu , Weyland Cheng , Longfei Wang , Yanfan Wang , Yaodong Zhang , Kuo Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs), as emerging contaminants, have infiltrated various environments and consumer products, and are widely present in human tissues and bodily fluids. Currently, there is limited research on microplastic contamination in pharmaceuticals, particularly in eye drops that directly contact the ocular surface, where the risk of microplastic exposure urgently requires evaluation. This study investigated microplastic contamination in eye drops, aiming to assess the presence of microplastics in over-the-counter eye drops used directly on the ocular surface. The study employed multiple analytical methods, including laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR), pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to test commercially available eye drop samples. The results revealed that microplastics were present in all tested brands of eye drops, with most particles being smaller than 100 µm and primarily composed of polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). Variations in the quantity, type, and morphology of microplastics were observed among different brands, suggesting that production processes or packaging may be sources of contamination. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in eye drops, which are formulations that directly contact the ocular surface, may pose potential risks to ocular health. Current pharmaceutical quality control standards do not yet cover such contaminants, highlighting the urgent need for attention from regulatory authorities, manufacturers, and medical professionals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 101019"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}