Physical and biomimetic treatment methods to reduce microplastic waste accumulation.

Background: Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, the use of plastics has increased exponentially, so it is imperative to manage and dispose of these plastic wastes safely. Objectives: This review focuses on the management strategies governed by the policies of each country to reduce plastic waste through physical collection methods and methods that use eco-imitation technologies. Results: Thus far, physical treatment methods have been applied to sewage and drinking water treatment. The abilities of bio-inspired treatment methods are being assessed in terms of capturing microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), extracting substances from marine organisms, reducing toxicity, and developing alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Conclusions: Various post-treatment methods have been proposed to collect and remove MPs and NPs that have reached into aquatic ecosystems and subsequently reduce their toxicity. However, there are limitations that the effectiveness of these methods is hindered by the lack of policies governing the entire process of plastic use before the post-treatment. Purpose of Review: We purpose to reduce plastic waste through methods that use eco-imitation technologies. Recent Findings: These eco-imitation methods are attracting attention as viable future plastic waste treatment options in line with the goals of sustainable development.

Airborne fungal and bacterial microbiome in classrooms of elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Effects of school disinfection and other environmental factors.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of environmental factors including disinfection on airborne microbiome during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, we evaluated indoor and outdoor air collected from 19 classrooms regularly disinfected. Extracted bacterial and fungal DNA samples were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq™ platform. Using bacterial DNA copy number concentrations from qPCR analysis, multiple linear regressions including environmental factors as predictors were performed. Microbial diversity and community composition were evaluated. Classrooms disinfected with spray ≤1 week before sampling had lower bacterial DNA concentration (3116 DNA copies/m3 ) than those >1 week (5003 copies/m3 ) (p-values = 0.06). The bacterial DNA copy number concentration increased with temperature and was higher in classrooms in coastal than inland cities (p-values <0.01). Bacterial diversity in outdoor air was higher in coastal than inland cities while outdoor fungal diversity was higher in inland than coastal cities. These outdoor microbiomes affected classroom microbial diversity but bacterial community composition at the genus level in occupied classrooms were similar between coastal and inland cities. Our findings emphasize that environmental conditions including disinfection, climate, and school location are important factors in shaping classroom microbiota. Yet, further research is needed to understand the effects of modified microbiome by disinfection on occupants' health.