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Strong PhotochemicalActivity of Colored MicroplasticsContaining Cadmium Pigments: Mechanisms and Implications
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Researchers investigated the photochemical activity of microplastics colored with cadmium pigments, finding they generated reactive oxygen species including hydroxyl radicals and superoxide when exposed to simulated sunlight. These colored microplastics degraded over 91% of the endocrine disruptor 17β-estradiol within 23 hours, revealing an underappreciated environmental risk from pigmented plastics.
Plastics used in daily life are often colored for esthetic and functional purposes. Nevertheless, little is known about the photochemical activity of colored microplastics and the associated risks that are ubiquitous in the environment. In this study, we report the strong photochemical activity of microplastics colored with cadmium pigments. These colored microplastics can be excited by photons within the solar spectrum (<514 nm), readily generating •OH, O2•–, and H2O2. Consequently, they can effectively degrade 17β-estradiol, achieving >91% degradation within 23 h under simulated solar exposure. Among microplastics colored with different cadmium pigments, those with a cadmium pigment S/Se ratio of 2:5 exhibited the highest photoactivity. This is attributed to the narrow band gap, fast charge separation, and efficient charge transfer of the microplastics, as suggested by the energy band, photocurrent, and electrochemical impedance results. Meanwhile, hazardous Cd2+ was leached from colored microplastics mainly owing to the oxidation of pigment lattices by photogenerated holes. Our results reveal that microplastics colored with photoactive inorganic pigments behave drastically differently from uncolored counterparts. This highlights the importance of considering pigments as a critical factor for better assessing the environmental fate and risks of colored microplastics and plastic products.
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Strong Photochemical Activity of Colored Microplastics Containing Cadmium Pigments: Mechanisms and Implications
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Researchers discovered that colored microplastics containing cadmium pigments are highly photochemically active, generating reactive oxygen species when exposed to sunlight. These reactive chemicals can damage DNA and harm living cells, and the effect was much stronger than in uncolored plastics. The study is significant because many consumer plastics are brightly colored, meaning the health and environmental risks of microplastics may be greater for colored plastic fragments than previously assumed.
Promoted photodegradation of cadmium pigment-embedded microplastics: Role of reactive microenvironment
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Researchers studied how cadmium pigments embedded in microplastics influence their photodegradation behavior in polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. The study found that the reactive microenvironment generated by cadmium pigments significantly accelerated plastic degradation, particularly in polystyrene, and that this accelerated breakdown correlated with increased release of toxic cadmium ions into the surrounding water.
Sunlight mediated cadmium release from colored microplastics containing cadmium pigment in aqueous phase
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Scientists examined how sunlight irradiation causes cadmium to leach from colored microplastics containing cadmium-based pigments, finding that photo-dissolution drove cadmium release in aquatic conditions and that smaller particles and longer irradiation times increased release rates.
Promoted photodegradation of cadmium pigment-embedded microplastics: Role of reactive microenvironment
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Colorful plastics, like the polystyrene used in some food containers and packaging, may break down faster in sunlight when they contain cadmium-based pigments (a toxic heavy metal used to create certain colors), according to new research. As these plastics degrade, they release more cadmium into water, meaning brightly colored microplastics could pose a bigger contamination risk than previously thought. This suggests current safety guidelines for microplastics may need to account for pigments, not just the plastic itself.
Polystyrene microplastics enhance oxidative dissolution but suppress the aquatic acute toxicity of a commercial cadmium yellow pigment under simulated irradiation
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Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics affect the stability and toxicity of cadmium yellow pigment in water exposed to simulated sunlight. They found that the microplastics actually increased the dissolution of the pigment by generating reactive chemical species, but paradoxically reduced its acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. The study reveals that microplastics can alter the environmental behavior of co-existing pollutants in unexpected ways.
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