ABSTRACT
Frequent detection of terbutaline in wastewater highlights its potential risks to human health associated in the environment. Exposure to terbutaline through contaminated water sources or food chain have adverse effects to human health. This work emphasized on the removal of terbutaline from wastewater using adsorption technology. Mechanochemically synthesized [Cu(INA)2] metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and its magnetic composite ([Cu(INA)2]-MOF@Fe3O4) are designed with higher specific surface areas and tailored features to accommodate the molecular size and structure of terbutaline. Thus, batch experiment has been conducted using the [Cu(INA)2]-MOF and [Cu(INA)2]-MOF@Fe3O4 for the terbutaline adsorption. The adsorption efficiency achieved by the MOFs was 91.8% and 99.3% for the Cu(INA)2]-MOF and [Cu(INA)2]-MOF@Fe3O4 respectively. The optimum for the adsorption study included terbutaline concentration of 40 mg/L, adsorbent dose of 5 mg/L, pH of 11, temperature of 25 °C and equilibrium time of 40 min. The kinetics and isotherms have been described by pseudo-second order and Langmuir models, while the thermodynamics revealed the exothermic and spontaneous nature of the process. The promising performance of the MOFs is manifested on the ease of regeneration and reusability, achieving adsorption efficiency of 85.0% and 94.7% by the Cu(INA)2]-MOF and [Cu(INA)2]-MOF@Fe3O4, respectively at five consecutive cycles. The higher performance of the MOFs demonstrates their excellent potentialities for the terbutaline adsorption from the aqueous solution.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: While dietary exposure to microplastics is increasingly recognized, it is unknown if ingested plastics remain within the digestive tract. We aimed to examine human colectomy specimens for microplastics and to report the characteristics as well as polymer composition of the particles. METHODS: Colectomy samples were obtained from 11 adults (mean age 45.7, six males) who were residents of Northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. Microplastics were identified following chemical digestion of specimens and subsequent filtration. The samples were then examined for characteristics (abundance, length, shape, and color) and composition of three common polymer types using stereo- and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) microscopes. RESULTS: Microplastics were detected in all 11 specimens with an average of 331 particles/individual specimen or 28.1 ± 15.4 particles/g tissue. Filaments or fibers accounted for 96.1% of particles, and 73.1% of all filaments were transparent. Out of 40 random filaments from 10 specimens (one had indeterminate spectra patterns), 90% were polycarbonate, 50% were polyamide, and 40% were polypropylene. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that microplastics are ubiquitously present in the human colon.
