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Evaluating nano- and microplastic particles as vectors of exposure for plastic additive chemicals using a food web model: Implications for risk to human health
Summary
This review evaluated nano- and microplastic particles as vectors for chemical exposure, examining how plastic additives and sorbed environmental contaminants leach from particles under environmentally relevant conditions. The analysis found that while leaching occurs, risks to human health at realistic environmental concentrations require further quantification.
Abstract Nano- and microplastic particles (NMPs) represent potential hazards for humans and wildlife, including as vectors for chemical exposure (including plastic additives and chemicals sorbed from the surrounding environment). The leaching of chemicals from NMPs has been identified as a potential exposure pathway but risks to human health under environmentally relevant conditions remain unclear. Here, we describe a modification of the ACC-HUMANSTEADY bioaccumulation model to include dietary exposure to NMPs containing either accumulated chemicals from the surrounding environment or embedded plastic additive chemicals (PACs). Chemical transfer to humans and wildlife is described using two-film resistance concepts assuming spheroidal or cylindrical particles of different sizes. The relative contribution of NMPs and environmental media to the estimated daily chemical intake in humans was assessed for various exposure scenarios, for both a range of hypothetical chemicals with varying physicochemical properties and four well-studied PACs [bisphenol-A; the plasticizer Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP); the brominated flame retardant decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209); and a phenolic benzotriazole used as a UV-inhibitor in plastic, 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(2-methylbutan-2-yl)phenol (UV-328)]. Results imply that NMPs can act as sources of exposure to chemical additives when the ingestion rate of 1 µm NMPs is > 10 mg d− 1, and the concentration of hydrophobic plastic additive is > 5% wt wt− 1. The contribution made by NMPs as vectors of exposure decreased with increasing particle size and with decreasing ingestion rates. Human health risks for specific PACs are negligible when the ingestion rate of NMPs is < 100 µg d− 1. Data uncertainties are high regarding the characterization and quantification of the ingestion rates of NMPs by humans and wildlife, including the particle sizes and polymer composition, as well as on the presence of PACs in NMPs. These data gaps need to be addressed if the issue of NMPs as vectors of exposure to chemicals is to be fully understood. We suggest that mechanistic and holistic models represent efficient and effective tools to help prioritize research needs and support decision making.
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