In recent years, two ecological hazards have raised a concern for their potential long-term effects on ecosystems and human health: microplastics and Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid or LABSA. While each of these is concerning on its own, their combination forms a cumulative threat, making it critical for policymakers, researchers, and the public to be aware about their behaviour, impact, and control measures.

Understanding Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles. Each one measures less than 5 millimetres - about the size of a pencil eraser - and is found virtually everywhere on Earth - from the deepest ocean trenches to arctic ice and even in the air we breathe.

These plastics come from two key sources: primary microplastics, which are manufactured at a microscopic level for items like microbeads found in face scrubs or the synthetic fibres that shed from fleece jackets. Others are the battered remains of larger plastics, like bottles, bags, fishing nets, and tires that break down under weathering and wear.

Microplastics are particularly concerning because they do not degrade and can be present in the environment for several centuries. Up to 40 megatons of microplastics are estimated to enter the environment annually, and if this trend continues, that number could double by 2040.

Understanding LABSA

Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) or Acid Slurry is the most widely used “Detergent Grade” synthetic surfactant, commonly found in household and industrial detergents. It is known for its effectiveness in removing dirt and grease, and its widespread use has raised environmental concerns.

LABSA generally enters the environment via wastewater when poured down the drain. Although it is biodegradable under certain conditions, its degradation is not always complete, especially in environments with low oxygen or microbial activity. This leads to LABSA persisting in wastewater, while making its way into streams and lakes and interacting with other pollutants, such as microplastics.

The Concerning Interaction: LABSA and Microplastics

Recent research suggests that LABSA may attach to microplastics, through a process called sorption - molecules adhering to the surface of another material - imagine it as pollution's own version of Velcro. This interaction not only facilitates the spread of hydrophobic organic pollutants like LABSA through ecosystems, but it may also alter microplastics' behaviour.

When LABSA binds to microplastics, it can alter their buoyancy and surface properties, causing microplastics to cluster together, so that they drift into new environments, or sink into sediments and get lost in the mud. This alteration also increases the likelihood of microplastics bypassing natural filtration systems or biological barriers as they become more easily absorbed by organisms such as plankton, fish or soil invertebrates like earthworms, further increasing the potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification within the food chain.

Studies have also shown that microplastics can alter soil structure. With the added presence of surfactants like LABSA, toxicity would be changed, and effects would intensify with bioavailability. In addition, the co-presence of microplastics and LABSA inhibits the natural degradation processes, with the process coming to a standstill. What started as a straightforward chemical reaction between microplastics and LABSA turns into a complex relationship where both travel and stay. This highlights the pressing need for more research to understand how microplastics and LABSA collectively impact the ecosystem and biodiversity in various habitats.

Ecological and Health Impact

Microplastics and LABSA are toxic to organisms. LABSA is known to cause acute and chronic toxicity in aquatic organisms by interfering with metabolic processes and cell membranes. On the other hand, microplastic leachates have affected aquatic organisms, including water fleas and microalgae, by impairing growth, reproduction, and affecting their survival. These toxins would further accumulate through the food chain due to ingestion by organisms, which would ultimately affect human health.

Human exposure is also on the rise. Microplastics have been found in drinking water, seafood, and table salt. While the full extent of health impact is unknown, preliminary research points to potential risks including inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal disruption. Additionally, LABSA, when ingested or comes into contact with skin, can cause irritation and other health effects.

Addressing the Challenge: Mitigation and Solutions

To address the combined threat of microplastics and LABSA, a multifaceted strategy is required. First and foremost, more research is needed to understand how microplastics and LABSA exist together, interact in different environments and affect each other’s toxicity.

Stricter regulations could be put in place regarding microplastics and LABSA discharge. For a start, microbeads in cosmetics could be banned, and single-use plastics phased out to reduce plastic pollution. Similarly, wastewater treatment plants need to be improved to effectively filter out microplastics and LABSA from pollutants such as tire dust before being discharged into the natural water systems.

But innovation is key. Recent studies have shown that advanced methods like electrocoagulation, which uses aluminium electrodes, can remove up to 97.9% of microfibers and 91.2% of surfactants from laundry wastewater. And researchers at Virginia Tech have achieved a breakthrough: upcycling plastic waste into useful chemicals called surfactants. In turn, these surfactants could be used to make soaps and detergents, which would support the circular economy.

A Call to Action

Microplastics and LABSA no longer act as isolated threats; together, they are a stark reminder of how interconnected our environmental challenges are. Individually, both disrupt ecosystems and pose risks to aquatic and terrestrial life. But combined, their interaction alters how pollutants move, persist, and impact living organisms.

Humans have also been exposed. Microplastics and LABSA have infiltrated food chains and water supplies, raising concerns about human exposure and health. Fortunately, we have the tools to respond - knowledge, technology, and a growing public will. Sustainable development must remain our north star and be used to guide policy, innovation, and business practices. Furthermore, both governments and corporations need to take responsibility for their production choices, marketing strategies, and waste management approaches.

Protecting our environment isn't something that happens in isolation. Real change starts when personal actions align with collective responsibility, and when scientific understanding translates into meaningful action. This combined approach represents our best hope for creating a cleaner and healthier planet.

About Masda Chemical

Masda Chemical is a well-established company headquartered in Singapore. It operates primarily as an importer, exporter, and stockist of food ingredients and industrial chemicals. Representing a group of manufacturers and trading organisations known for their high-quality products, the company caters to diverse, specialised needs across multiple industries in the Asia-Pacific region. Its extensive network includes sales offices in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, enabling efficient service and regional reach.