Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Biology
2026
|
| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42274540/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Table of Contents:
- Ecotoxicological Effects of Conventional and Eco-Friendly Glitter: A Literature Review. Futia, Sara Pastorino, Paolo Solé, Montserrat Caldaroni, Barbara Gentile, Rebecca Dörr, Ambrosius Josef Martin Prearo, Marino Renzi, Monia Elia, Antonia Concetta Glitter is a distinctive and largely overlooked form of primary microplastic. Unlike more commonly studied microplastics, glitter particles are typically flat, highly reflective, multi-layered, and are composed of polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride with metallic coatings and a wide range of additives. In response to regulatory restrictions on intentionally added microplastics and increasing consumer demand, "eco-friendly" alternatives based on modified regenerated cellulose, cellulose nanocrystals, or mica have been introduced, although their environmental safety remains insufficiently characterized. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological effects of both conventional and biodegradable glitters. A systematic literature search in Scopus identified 15 peer-reviewed experimental studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria. Evidence spans a wide range of taxa, including bacteria (i.e., ), microalgae and cyanobacteria (i.e., , , ), aquatic plants (i.e., , ), marine and freshwater invertebrates as crustaceans (i.e., ), bivalves (i.e., ), sea urchins (i.e., ), brine shrimp ( sp.) and terrestrial soil fauna (, ). Results indicate that glitter cannot be treated as a uniform stressor: biological responses vary markedly with particle size, shape, colour, polymer type, additive composition, and weathering time, and leachates often exert stronger effects than intact particles. Reported impacts include impaired photosynthesis and growth, oxidative stress, developmental abnormalities, altered energy metabolism, and reduced reproduction. Substantial gaps remain regarding environmental concentrations, ageing processes, mixture effects, and long-term ecological consequences, particularly for biodegradable glitters. Addressing these gaps will require realistic exposure scenarios, mesocosm and field studies, and integrated chemical-biological approaches to support robust risk assessment and safer material design.