ejeas European Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 2651-3412 2667-8454 Tekirdag Namik Kemal University 10.55581/ejeas.1715416 Environmental Pollution and Prevention Solid and Hazardous Wastes Çevre Kirliliği ve Önlenmesi Katı ve Tehlikeli Atıklar Sectoral Sources, Industrial Use and Environmental Management of Microplastics: A Holistic Assessment Mikroplastiklerin Sektörel Kaynakları, Endüstriyel Kullanımı ve Çevresel Yönetimi: Bütüncül Bir Değerlendirme https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6512-5232 Yurtsever Adem İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9043-7382 Öngen Atakan İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0246-3733 Kiriş Barış İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ 12 31 2025 8 2 127 134 06 06 2025 09 30 2025 Copyright © 2018, European Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 2018 European Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

The aim of this study is to investigate the dual role of microplastics (MPs) as both widespread environmental contaminants and deliberately used functional materials across industrial sectors. It provides an integrated assessment of the sources, pathways, and applications of MPs, with a focus on their sector-specific dynamics. Microplastics, defined as synthetic polymer particles smaller than 5 mm, are emitted unintentionally through processes in industries such as cosmetics, textiles, food packaging, agriculture, and construction, often entering aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems. Simultaneously, they are intentionally employed in various industrial applications including textiles, building materials, membrane and filtration technologies, medical systems, and energy production. This study critically evaluates both aspects by reviewing current literature and sectoral practices, emphasizing the advantages MPs provide—such as durability, lightweight structure, and chemical resistance—while also highlighting their persistent environmental footprint and risks to human health. These risks are amplified by their role as vectors for toxic pollutants, their bio-accumulative nature, and their long degradation times. The paper concludes that managing microplastic pollution demands a life cycle-oriented approach that spans from production to end-of-life, supported by innovation in biodegradable alternatives, stronger regulatory frameworks, and interdisciplinary environmental health research. Ultimately, the study contributes to the understanding of how industrial innovation can be aligned with sustainability and global environmental responsibility.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, mikroplastiklerin (MP'ler) hem yaygın çevre kirleticileri hem de endüstriyel sektörlerde kasıtlı olarak kullanılan işlevsel malzemeler olarak ikili rolünü araştırmaktır. MP’lerin kaynakları ve uygulamalarına ilişkin sektöre özgü dinamiklere odaklanarak bütünleşik bir değerlendirme sunmaktadır. 5 mm'den küçük sentetik polimer parçacıkları olarak tanımlanan MP’ler, kozmetik, tekstil, gıda ambalajı, tarım ve inşaat gibi endüstrilerdeki süreçler yoluyla kasıtsız olarak yayılır ve sıklıkla sucul, karasal ve atmosferik ekosistemlere girer. Aynı zamanda, tekstiller, yapı malzemeleri, membran ve filtrasyon teknolojileri, tıbbi sistemler ve enerji üretimi dahil olmak üzere çeşitli endüstriyel uygulamalarda kasıtlı olarak kullanılırlar. Bu çalışma, mevcut literatürü ve sektörel uygulamaları gözden geçirerek her iki yönü de eleştirel bir şekilde değerlendirir, MP'lerin sağladığı avantajları (dayanıklılık, hafif yapı ve kimyasal direnç gibi) vurgularken, aynı zamanda kalıcı çevresel ayak izlerini ve insan sağlığına yönelik riskleri de vurgulamaktadır. Bu riskler, toksik kirleticiler için vektörler olarak oynadıkları rol, biyolojik olarak birikebilen yapıları ve uzun bozunma süreleri nedeniyle daha da artar. Bu çalışma, MP kirliliğini yönetmenin, biyolojik olarak parçalanabilir alternatiflerdeki yenilikler, daha güçlü düzenleyici çerçeveler ve disiplinler arası çevre sağlığı araştırmalarıyla desteklenen, üretimden kullanım ömrünün sonuna kadar uzanan yaşam döngüsü odaklı bir yaklaşım gerektirdiği sonucuna varmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, çalışma endüstriyel yeniliğin sürdürülebilirlik ve küresel çevre sorumluluğuyla nasıl uyumlu hale getirilebileceğinin anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunmaktadır.

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