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Molecular-Scale Insights into the Interactions between Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyethylene
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics can strongly attract and hold onto toxic "forever chemicals" called PFAS, which are already found in drinking water and food. This means microplastics in our environment could act like sponges that collect these harmful chemicals and potentially transport them to new places, including into our bodies. The research helps explain why these two types of pollution might work together to create bigger health risks than either one alone.
Microplastics (MPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are two classes of highly persistent contaminants that frequently co-occur in the environment, raising concern about potential synergistic effects. To better understand their interactions, we investigated the adsorption of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) on polyethylene (PE) through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The potential of mean force (PMF) at infinite dilution was calculated for both the semicrystalline and crystalline PE models. For semicrystalline PE systems, the PMF minima were -26.5 ± 4.8 kJ mol-1 for PFOA and -43.9 ± 4.3 kJ mol-1 for PFOS, whereas, for crystalline PE, the values were -26.6 ± 5.2 and -42.0 ± 7.7 kJ mol-1, respectively. These results indicate that, within statistical uncertainty, no significant differences are observed between the two PE morphologies for either PFAS when considering the depth of the free-energy minimum. Moreover, PFOS exhibited stronger interactions with PE than PFOA. This behavior reflects not only differences in fluoroalkyl chain length but also the distinct chemical nature of the functional groups, with the larger and more hydrophobic sulfonate headgroup of PFOS compared to the carboxylate group of PFOA. In addition to adsorption strength, molecular orientation at the PE-water interface was characterized. PFAS tails showed a general tendency to align parallel to PE chains within the polymer slab, but this alignment was disrupted upon the transition into water. Notably, PFOS interacting with semicrystalline PE exhibited orientation changes with transitions between parallel and perpendicular alignment associated with local PMF barriers. These orientation-dependent interactions highlight the importance of both chain packing and functional group chemistry in driving PFAS-polymer affinity. Taken together, these findings provide molecular-scale evidence that microplastics can act as reservoirs for PFAS, potentially enhancing their environmental persistence and transport.
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This review examines how microplastics act as carriers for PFAS ("forever chemicals") in water, with the two pollutants interacting through various chemical mechanisms that affect their movement through the environment. The combined presence of microplastics and PFAS raises concerns about increased toxicity, since microplastics can transport these persistent chemicals into organisms and potentially concentrate their harmful effects.
Microplastics as carriers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environment: interactions and ecotoxicological effects
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics serve as carriers for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes called forever chemicals, in aquatic environments. The study found that PFAS can attach to microplastic surfaces and accumulate in organisms through the food chain, potentially amplifying the toxic effects of both pollutants. The findings suggest that the combined presence of microplastics and PFAS poses a greater environmental and health risk than either pollutant alone.
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Researchers studied how PFAS (toxic "forever chemicals") attach to microplastics that form when PET water bottles break down in the environment. They found that PFAS bonds to these microplastic surfaces within hours in both fresh and salt water, meaning microplastics can act as carriers for these harmful chemicals. This is concerning because people may be exposed to both microplastics and the dangerous chemicals hitchhiking on them through contaminated water.
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This study tested how PFAS ("forever chemicals") interact with 18 different types of microplastic and found that polyamide (nylon) plastics absorbed up to 100% of the PFAS in solution. Since both PFAS and microplastics are widespread environmental pollutants, their ability to bind together means microplastics may act as carriers that concentrate and transport these harmful chemicals into water, soil, and ultimately the human body.
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This review reveals the overlooked connection between microplastics and PFAS (forever chemicals), showing that these two widespread pollutants often come from the same products and interact in the environment. Microplastics can absorb PFAS onto their surfaces and transport them through water systems, potentially increasing exposure for aquatic organisms and humans. Understanding this overlap is important because the combined effects may be more harmful than either pollutant alone.
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