Polypropylene-based products are commonly used for food preparation and storage, but their capacity to release microplastics is poorly understood. We investigated the potential exposure of infants to microplastics from consuming formula prepared in polypropylene infant feeding bottles (PP-IFBs). Here, we show that PP-IFBs release microplastics with values as high as 16,200,000 particles/L. Scenario studies showed that PP-IFB sterilisation and exposure to high temperature water significantly increase microplastic release. A 21-day test of PP-IFBs showed periodic fluctuations in microplastic release. To estimate the potential global exposure to infants up to 12 months old, we surveyed 48 regions finding values ranging from 14,600 to 4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. We demonstrate that infant exposure to microplastics is higher than previously recognized due to the prevalence of polypropylene-based products in formula preparation, highlighting an urgent need to assess whether MPs exposure at these levels pose a risk to infant health. A formula preparation scheme that reduces the exposure of infants to microplastics is suggested.

No abstract

1The aim of this study was to investigate the release of phosphorus (P) to receiving waters resulting 2 from harvesting 34-year-old lodgepole pine trees in an upland peat catchment. The study site was 3 within a 25.3-hectare (ha) area, and was drained by a stream that received flows from ploughed 4 furrows, mainly, via collector drains, and discharged directly to the salmonid Shrahrevagh River,

No abstract

Ptaquiloside, along with other natural phytotoxins, is receiving increased attention from scientists and land use managers. There is an urgent need to increase empirical evidence to understand the scale of phytotoxin mobilisation and potential to enter into the environment. In this study the risk of ptaquiloside to drinking water was assessed by quantifying ptaquiloside in the receiving waters at three drinking water abstraction sites across Ireland and in bracken fronds surrounding the abstraction sites. We also investigated the impact of different management regimes (spraying, cutting and rolling) on ptaquiloside concentrations at plot-scale in six locations in Northern Ireland, UK. Ptaquiloside concentrations were determined using recent advances in the use of LC-MS for the detection and quantification of ptaquiloside. The results indicate that ptaquiloside is present in bracken stands surrounding drinking water abstractions in Ireland, and ptaquiloside concentrations were also observed in the receiving waters. Furthermore, spraying was found to be the most effective bracken management regime observed in terms of reducing ptaquiloside load. Increased awareness is vital on the implications of managing land with extensive bracken stands.