Preučevanje prisotnosti mikroplastike v kozmetičnih izdelkih za nego kože dojenčkov in otrok in silico ter odnosa potrošnikov do le-te

Klemen, Maja (avtor), Karas Kuželički, Nataša (mentor), Markovič, Tijana (komentor)

Človeško telo je mikroplastičnim delcem izpostavljeno z inhalacijo mikroplastike v zraku, peroralno z zaužitjem mikroplastike v živilih ter z dermalnim stikom z mikroplastiko v kozmetičnih, tekstilnih in drugih izdelkih. Pri tem so dojenčki zaradi večje dovzetnosti za dermalno absorpcijo posebej občutljiva skupina. Namen diplomske naloge je preučiti ozaveščenost in odnos potrošnikov do mikroplastike v kozmetičnih izdelkih ter ugotoviti prisotnost sintetičnih polimerov v izbranih kozmetičnih izdelkih, namenjenih zlasti dojenčkom in otrokom, ki so na voljo na slovenskem trgu. V uvodu diplomske naloge predstavimo potencialne vplive mikroplastičnih delcev iz kozmetičnih izdelkov na zdravje ljudi ter regulativo, ki ureja prisotnost mikroplastike v kozmetiki. V raziskovalnem delu glede na demografske značilnosti analiziramo odgovore anketirancev na vprašanja o ozaveščenosti in nakupnih navadah v povezavi z mikroplastiko. Ugotovili smo, da so anketiranci razmeroma dobro splošno seznanjeni s problematiko, ki zadeva mikroplastiko. Nakup in uporaba kozmetike za dojenčke sta med odraslimi anketiranci, ki sicer ne spadajo v ciljno skupino, pogosta, pri čemer nosečnost ali skrb za dojenčka nimata pomembnega vpliva na odnos do okoljskih vidikov izdelkov. Večina anketirancev bi bila pripravljena opustiti uporabo vsaj nekaterih kozmetičnih izdelkov, ki vsebujejo mikroplastiko. V nadaljevanju predstavimo pristop in silico, in sicer smo s pomočjo orodja Beat the Microbead pregledali prisotnost sintetičnih polimerov v 138 kozmetičnih izdelkih na slovenskem trgu in identificirali 21 sintetičnih polimerov, ki jih kampanja Beat the Microbead uvršča med mikroplastiko. Po kriterijih Evropske agencije za kemikalije smo kot mikroplastiko opredelili štiri polimere, prisotne v treh kozmetičnih izdelkih. Certifikat naravne kozmetike se je izkazal kot zagotovilo za odsotnost mikroplastike po kriterijih Evropske agencije za kemikalije. Kljub omejitvam, kot sta nekvantitativna analiza polimerov v kozmetičnih izdelkih in demografsko neuravnotežen vzorec pri analizi ankete, diplomska naloga ponuja vpogled v prisotnost mikroplastike v kozmetičnih izdelkih na slovenskem trgu ter v razumevanje potrošniških stališč v povezavi z mikroplastiko. Glede na rezultate poudarjamo potrebo po nadaljnjem preučevanju sintetičnih polimerov in njihovih morebitnih učinkov na zdravje ljudi in okolje ter iskanje trajnostnih alternativ mikroplastiki v kozmetični industriji.

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: mikroplastika, kozmetični izdelki za dojenčke, ozaveščenost, sintetični polimer, beat the microbead
• Vrsta gradiva: Diplomsko delo/naloga
• Organizacija: FFA - Fakulteta za farmacijo
• Leto izida: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179003
• Datum objave v RUL: 03.02.2026

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Naslov: Investigating the presence of microplastics in cosmetic products for infant and child skincare in silico and consumer attitudes towards it

Izvleček

The human body is exposed to microplastic particles through inhalation of airborne microplastics, ingestion of microplastics in food, and dermal contact with microplastics found in cosmetic, textile, and other products, with infants being a particularly vulnerable group due to their higher susceptibility to dermal absorption. The aim of the thesis is to examine consumer awareness and attitudes toward microplastics in cosmetic products, as well as the presence of synthetic polymers in selected cosmetic products for infants and children on the Slovenian market. In the introduction, we outline the potential health impacts of microplastic particles originating from cosmetic products and the regulatory framework governing the presence of microplastics in cosmetics. We continue with an analysis of respondents’ answers to questions about their awareness and purchasing habits related to microplastics, taking demographic characteristics into account. We found that respondents were relatively well informed about microplastics in general. The purchase and use of baby cosmetics were common among adult respondents who do not themselves belong to the target group, while pregnancy or caring for an infant did not significantly influence attitudes toward the environmental aspects of cosmetic products. Most respondents indicated that they would be willing to discontinue the use of at least some cosmetic products containing microplastics. Using an in silico approach, we then assess the presence of synthetic polymers in 138 cosmetic products available on the Slovenian market with the help of the Beat the Microbead app. We identified 21 synthetic polymers classified as microplastics by the Beat the Microbead campaign. According to the criteria of the European Chemicals Agency, we identified four polymers as microplastics, which were present in three cosmetic products. A natural cosmetics certification proved to be a reliable indicator of the absence of microplastics defined by the European Chemicals Agency criteria. Despite limitations, such as the non-quantitative analysis of polymers in cosmetic products and a demographically unbalanced survey sample, the thesis provides insight into the presence of microplastics in cosmetic products on the Slovenian market and consumer attitudes toward microplastics. Based on the findings, we highlight the need for further research on synthetic polymers and their potential effects on human health and the environment, as well as the search for sustainable alternatives to microplastics in the cosmetics industry.

• Ključne besede: microplastics, cosmetic products for infants, consumer awareness, synthetic polymer, beat the microbead