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Determination of additives as markers of microplastic contamination in the environment
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Researchers developed chromatography-mass spectrometry methods to detect plastic additives like phthalates, phosphates, and terephthalates in environmental dust samples as markers of microplastic contamination. The analytical techniques achieved detection limits low enough to identify these chemicals in workplace settled dust. The study suggests that measuring plastic additive chemicals could serve as a practical indirect method for tracking microplastic pollution in indoor environments.
Microplastics are mostly inert particles and, therefore, may exhibit low toxicity, but adverse health effects may result from chemical additives commonly added to plastics. Plastic additives serve to make the material workable and thermodynamically stable as well as acting as softeners, fillers and colorants. They may include hazardous chemicals, such as organic phosphates, phthalates, terephthalates, adipates, benzoates, citrates, sebacates, trimellitates, etc. The use of chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry for the analysis of plastic additives can constitute a valid support for the determination of microplastics in the environment. In this paper, results of investigation by chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry for analysis of phosphates, phthalates, terephthalates, adipates, benzoates, citrates, sebacates, trimellitates in settled dust of a workplace are reported. Both gas and liquid chromatography were used to separate the analytes with different chemical-physical properties. An excellent extraction and evaporation method preceded by an efficient clean-up process were fundamental steps for the subsequent proper detection of the analytes. LOD and LOQ values sufficiently low to detect the analytes in the environmental samples and good instrumental repeatability were obtained as a result of thorough cleaning cycles of sorbents and extraction cells, prior to the treatment of real samples. Such a step was crucial due to the ubiquity of many of the analytes investigated. Their presence in blank samples was minimized, obtaining statistically acceptable values to be subtracted from real samples. Our optimized method enabled the detection in samples of settled dust of most of the analytes investigated, some known as substances of very high concern and/or persistent, bioaccumulative, and possible reprotoxic endocrine disruptors. Safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable plasticizers were also found. This search for plastic additives in dust samples to which workers may be exposed has the dual purpose of identifying the presence of toxic chemicals and detecting the presence of microplastics.
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Researchers measured inhalable microplastics and plastic additives in the air of chemical laboratories, focusing on the particle sizes most relevant to human breathing. Using pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry, they detected various polymers and endocrine-disrupting plastic additives in both fine and coarse air fractions. The study highlights that indoor workplaces can be significant sources of airborne microplastic exposure, with potential implications for occupational health.
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Researchers reviewed how chemical additives mixed into plastics during manufacturing — including stabilizers, flame retardants, and plasticizers — can leach out throughout a plastic's lifecycle and pose risks to ecosystems and human health, with microplastics acting as carriers that concentrate and transport these hazardous chemicals.
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Researchers used organic and inorganic plastic additives as chemical indicators to trace the sources of microplastics found in road dust. By analyzing the chemical fingerprints of additives, they were able to identify specific origins such as tire wear, road markings, and other plastic products. The study demonstrates a new approach for identifying where road dust microplastics come from, which could help develop targeted strategies to reduce stormwater runoff pollution.
Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles
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Researchers measured microplastics and their chemical additives in airborne dust at an electronics recycling plant, identifying ten different plastic types and eight classes of additives including flame retardants and phthalates. The findings confirm that people can inhale microplastics along with potentially harmful chemicals at work, raising concerns about respiratory and overall health risks from airborne plastic pollution.
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Researchers developed a fast screening approach using ambient pressure ionization mass spectrometry to identify leachable chemical compounds released from plastic, micro-, and nanoplastic particles, focusing on additives such as plasticizers that are often overlooked in microplastic pollution research. The study aimed to improve understanding of the chemical hazards associated with plastic-derived compounds beyond the particles themselves.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.