Microplastics as a Trojan horse for trace metals

Hildebrandt, Lars; Nack, F.L.; Zimmermann, Tristan; Pröfrock, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100035

Cited by 49 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The sorption and subsequent desorption of metals and metalloid cations by MPs have been proven, emphasizing the relevance of these pollutants as vectors and also revealing how smaller particles have a higher accumulation of metals. 33 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disposable FFP2 and Type IIR Medical-Grade Face Masks: An Exhaustive Analysis into the Leaching of Micro- and Nanoparticles and Chemical Pollutants Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the worldwide production and use of disposable plastic face masks (DPFMs). The release of micro- and nanopollutants into the environment is one of the impacts derived from regulated and unregulated disposal of DPFMs. This study focuses on the emission of pollutants from medical-grade DPFMs when submerged in deionized water, simulating regulated and unregulated disposal of these masks. Three brands of FFP2 and three brands of Type IIR medical masks, produced in various countries (UK, EU, and non-EU), were investigated. Field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) was used to obtain high-resolution images of the micro- and nanoparticles, and 0.02 μm pore size inorganic membranes were used to retain and subsequently analyze smaller particle size nanoparticles (>20 nm) released from the DPFMs. Particles and fibers in the micro- and nanoscale were found in all six DPFM brands. SEM with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of particles containing different heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the leaching of trace heavy metals to water (antimony up to 2.41 μg/L and copper up to 4.68 μg/L). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified polar organic species related to plastic additives and contaminants such as polyamide-66 monomers and oligomers.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disposable FFP2 and Type IIR Medical-Grade Face Masks: An Exhaustive Analysis into the Leaching of Micro- and Nanoparticles and Chemical Pollutants Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2022

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“…Even though nanoplastics are known to be unreactive due to their chemical structure, they can disturb cellular functions without reacting themselves but by interaction with the cellular membrane [53,56] or possibly by adsorbing substances e.g. acting as Trojan horse [57]. These effects are especially important after agglomeration of nanoplastics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond microplastics - investigation on health impacts of submicron and nanoplastic particles after oral uptake in vitro

et al. 2022

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The continuously increasing use of plastics is supposed to result in a rising exposure of MNPs to humans. Available data on human health risks of microplastics after oral uptake increased immensely in the past years and indicates very likely only low risks after oral consumption. Concerning nanoplastics, uptake, transport and potential adverse effects after oral uptake are less well understood. This study aims to investigate differences between microplastic particles and particles in the submicron- and nanoscaled size derived from food-relevant polymers with a particle size range consistent with higher potential for cellular uptake, fate, and effects when applied to human intestinal and liver cells. This work includes the development of cellular and subcellular detection methods for synthetic polymeric particles in the micro- and nanometer-range, using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Small-Angle X-ray and Dynamic Light Scattering methods, Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation, octanol-water fractionation, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Polylactic acid (250 nm and 2 μm (polydisperse)), melamine formaldehyde (366 nm) and polymethylmethacrylate (25 nm) were thoroughly characterized. The submicro- and nanoplastic test particles showed an increased uptake and transport quantity through intestinal cells. Both types of particles resulted in observed differences of uptake behavior, most likely influenced by different lipophilicity, which varied between the polymeric test materials. Toxic effects were detected after 24 h only in overload situations for the particles in the submicrometer range. This study provides further evidence for gastrointestinal uptake of submicro- and nanoplastics and points towards differences regarding bioavailability between microplastics and smaller plastic particles that may result following the ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. Furthermore, the results reinforce the importance for studying nanoplastics of different materials of varying size, surface properties, polymer composition and hydrophobicity.

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“…It has been shown that small plastic debris is able to adsorb trace metals in the aquatic environment [ 30 ]. The labelling of NPTs with metal ions is expected to take place through electrostatic interactions.…”

Section: Labelling Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoplastic Labelling with Metal Probes: Analytical Strategies for Their Sensitive Detection and Quantification by ICP Mass Spectrometry

et al. 2021

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The detection and quantification of nanoplastics in aquatic environments is one of the major challenges in environmental and analytical research nowadays. The use of common analytical techniques for this purpose is not only hampered by the size of nanoplastics, but also because they are mainly made of carbon. In addition, the expected concentrations in environmental samples are below the detection limit of the majority of analytical techniques. In this context, the great detection capabilities of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in its Single Particle mode (SP-ICP-MS) have made of this technique a good candidate for the analysis of nanoplastics. Since the monitoring of carbon by ICP-MS faces several difficulties, the use of metal tags, taking advantage of the great potential of nanoplastics to adsorb chemical compounds, has been proposed as an alternative. In this perspectives paper, three different strategies for the analysis of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics by SP-ICP-MS based on the use of metals species (ions, hydrophobic organometallic compound, and nanoparticles) as tags are presented and discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of each strategy, which rely on the labelling process, are highlighted. The metal nanoparticles labelling strategy is shown as a promising tool for the detection and quantification of nanoplastics in aqueous matrices by SP-ICP-MS.

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Microplastics as a Trojan horse for trace metals

Cited by 49 publications

References 25 publications

Disposable FFP2 and Type IIR Medical-Grade Face Masks: An Exhaustive Analysis into the Leaching of Micro- and Nanoparticles and Chemical Pollutants Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Disposable FFP2 and Type IIR Medical-Grade Face Masks: An Exhaustive Analysis into the Leaching of Micro- and Nanoparticles and Chemical Pollutants Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Beyond microplastics - investigation on health impacts of submicron and nanoplastic particles after oral uptake in vitro

Nanoplastic Labelling with Metal Probes: Analytical Strategies for Their Sensitive Detection and Quantification by ICP Mass Spectrometry

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