A perspective on the methodological challenges in the emerging field of antifouling paint particles

Antifouling paint particles are anthropogenic particles primarily originating from marine coatings. Recent investigations have shed light on their toxicity at concentrations found in the environment. However, several significant challenges still impede accurate antifouling paint particle quantification. Aiming to provide a general overview of the advancements in the field and identify its main challenges, in the present contribution, we provide timely and evidence-based analysis and opinion on the emerging field of antifouling paint particles. Current quantification methods are relatively simplistic and may lead to substantial underestimation of the smallest antifouling paint particle fractions (< 0.5 mm), which are expected to be the most abundant due to their brittleness. Moreover, due to the diverse range of marine coatings being used and available in the market, it becomes essential to utilise analytical techniques to discern non-antifouling paint particles from the overall particle pool. The intricate chemical composition of antifouling paint particles further complicates the task of addressing these issues. We encourage researchers to persevere in the development of analytical techniques as an initial stride in tackling the complexities associated with antifouling paint particles, thus advancing this emerging field.