Figure 2 – Microplastics

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Microplastics Outreach Toolkit (MP-Toolkit)

Introduction

1. Introduction
1.1 What Are Microplastics?
1.2 History of Plastics
1.3 The Making of Plastics
1.4 Plastics Naming Conventions
1.5 Why Do We Care About Microplastics?
1.6 Distribution of Microplastics in the Environment
1.7 Fate and Transport of Microplastics
1.8 Environmental Justice and Microplastics
1.9 Acknowledgment of the Evolving State of the Science

Environmental Distribution, Fate, and Transport

2. Environmental Distribution, Fate, and Transport
2.1 Primary vs. Secondary MP
2.2 Point and Nonpoint Sources
2.3 MP in the Fluvial Environment
2.4 MP in Soil
2.5 MP in Sediment
2.6 MP in Air
2.7 MP in Urban Litter
2.8 Prevalence of MP in Biota
2.9 Degradation

Sampling and Analysis

3. Sampling and Analysis
3.1 Sample Collection Considerations—MP
3.2 General Quality Assurance/Quality Control
3.3 Special Considerations for NP
3.4 Sample Collection Methods by Matrix
Microplastics Sampling Method Selection Tool
3.5 Sample Preservation
3.6 Sample Preparation
3.7 Analysis and Identification

Human Health and Ecological Effects

4. Human Health and Ecological Effects
4.1 Chemical Properties
4.2 Physical Properties
4.3 Microplastics as Vectors
4.4 Trophic Transfer
4.5 Human Health
4.6 Ecological
4.7 Risk Assessment Methodologies

Regulatory Context

5. Regulatory Context
5.1 State Survey
5.2 Overview of Legislation and Regulatory Programs

Mitigation and Abatement

6. Mitigation and Abatement
6.1 Prevention/Mitigation Strategies
6.2 Abatement/Treatment

Data Gaps and Future Research Needs

7. Data Gaps and Future Research Needs
7.1 Fate and Transport Data Gaps
7.2 Future Research Needs for Sampling and Analyzing MP
7.3 Data Gaps in Evaluation of Potential Health Risks
7.4 Data Gaps in Evaluation of Trophic Transfer
7.5 Data Gaps on Ecological Exposures and Effects
7.6 Future Research Needs for Mitigating, Abating, and Managing MP

Appendix A. Microplastics Case Studies

Appendix B. Microplastics State Survey

Appendix C. Laws and Regulations Related to Microplastics

Appendix D. Team Contacts

Appendix E. Glossary

Appendix F. Acronyms

Acknowledgments

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Section 2.6, MP in Air

Section 2.3.4 MP in Oceans
Section 2.5 MP in Sediment
Section 2.8 MP in Biota

Section 2.4 MP in Soil

Section 2.7 MP in Urban Litter

Section 2.6 MP in Air

Section 2.3.2 MP in Wastewater

Section 2.2.2.1 Tire Wear Particles

Section 2.8 Biota

Section 2.2.2.2 Agricultural Sources

Section 2.3.3 Groundwater

Section 2.3.1.1Rivers, Lakes and Streams
Section 2.5 MP in Sediment
Section 2.8 Biota

Section 2.3.1.2 Stormwater

Section 2.3.1.1Rivers, Lakes and Streams
Section 2.5 MP in Sediment
Section 2.8 Biota

Section 2.7 MP in Urban Litter