Microplastics as a source of phthalate esters in water: A review on occurrence, release mechanism, and ecological risk assessment.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized not only as persistent particulate pollutants but also as active sources and vectors of phthalate esters (PAEs) in aquatic environments. Because PAEs are physically incorporated rather than chemically bonded within polymer matrices, they can be progressively released thro...