Bio-Rescue: Bacteria's Role in Tackling Microplastic Menace

Plastic is now considered an essential part of our day-to-day life, as in clothing, toys, household goods, packaging material, equipment, aerospace, agriculture, electrical appliances, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Low-cost production, strength, low weight, flexibility, durability, insulating capacity, easy handling, and transportation are associated with increased plastic production and use. Global plastic production has been growing over the years and is expected to triple by 2050. Asia played a significant role in producing and consuming plastic goods. China is a major contributor to the global production of plastic, and its share is around 32% of this "white pollution. " Other Asian countries collectively produced nearly 19% of the world's total plastic production. Improper waste management, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and the persistent nature of plastics contribute to their widespread presence in the environment. Plastic can fragment into smaller pieces, resulting in microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics when exposed to other environmental factors such as wave action and ultraviolet irradiation. Microplastics in the environment are recognized as a threat to human health and ecosystems because it exists in nature for hundreds of years without degrading. The wide application of face masks throughout the COVID-19 period has led to environmental issues, such as solid waste and microplastic pollution in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Microplastics have been identified in digestive systems, blood, and human brains because of their tiny size. Various methods and strategies have been implemented to address plastic pollution and mitigate its environmental impact.