Fig. 2.

Different classifications of microplastics. Microplastics can be classified into two categories: primary microplastics and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured and added to consumer and commercial products like cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and insecticides. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are unintentionally formed by the breakdown of larger plastic materials through physical, chemical, or biological processes, such as fishing gear, plastic bottles, plastic bags, and plastic food containers. Microplastics can also be classified based on their chemical composition, which includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and other materials