Potential Health Risks Associated with Biodegradable Plastics and Future Research Prospects: A Focus on Biodegradable Microplastics

Yongfeng Deng, Ailin Zhao, Changzhi Shi, Ao Guo, Ruqin Shen, Mingliang Fang

Prog Chem ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1) : 59-75.

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Prog Chem ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1) : 59-75. DOI: 10.7536/PC240904
Microplastics Special Issue

Potential Health Risks Associated with Biodegradable Plastics and Future Research Prospects: A Focus on Biodegradable Microplastics

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Abstract

The global concern over white pollution and microplastic contamination caused by traditional non-degradable plastic waste has garnered widespread attention. Promoting biodegradable plastics (BPs) as alternatives to non-degradable plastics is a strategic approach to mitigating these forms of plastic pollution. However, under real-world environmental conditions, BPs often face challenges in achieving rapid degradation and may release significant quantities of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) during the degradation process, posing potential environmental and health risks. In this review, we critically examine the environmental risks associated with traditional non-degradable plastic waste and the use of BPs. We systematically evaluate current pre-treatment techniques, analytical methods, and occurrence patterns of BMPs in environmental and biological samples. Furthermore, we highlight recent advancements in understanding the potential impacts of BMPs on organisms across various trophic levels, including human health. Finally, we address the challenges in applying BPs, particularly in identifying, analyzing, assessing health impacts, and developing future regulatory standards and measures for BMPs. This review provides theoretical foundations and technical guidance for advancing environmentally friendly and safe BPs.

Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 The importance of plastics in modern human social life and production

1.2 Ecological and environmental risks associated with the use of traditional refractory plastics

1.3 Production, application status, and potential risks of emerging degradable plastics

2 Analytical methods and environmental occurrence of degradable plastics

2.1 Methods for analyzing biodegradable microplastics

2.2 Environmental occurrence of degradable plastics

3 Research progress on potential environmental and health risks of biodegradable plastics

3.1 Potential ecological and environmental risks of degradable plastics

3.2 Potential health risks of biodegradable plastics

4 Conclusion and outlook

4.1 Insufficient public awareness of BPs and BMPs

4.2 Suitable for BMPs extraction and detection method vacancy

4.3 The long-term migration and transformation of BMPs in vivo and its health risks need to be clarified

4.4 Bioplastics and BMPs management and control methods and governance standards are missing

Key words

biodegradable plastics / biodegradable microplastics / plastic pollution / environmental behaviour / analytical techniques / environmental health risks

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Yongfeng Deng , Ailin Zhao , Changzhi Shi , et al . Potential Health Risks Associated with Biodegradable Plastics and Future Research Prospects: A Focus on Biodegradable Microplastics[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2025, 37(1): 59-75 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC240904

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(22276073)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(22376032)
Joint Fund of Colleges and Departments of Southeast University(2242024K40045)
Research Start-up Fund for New Faculty of Southeast University(RF1028623238)
Zhishan Young Scholar Fund of Southeast University by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2242024RCB0027)
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