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Microplastics and nitrogenous dbps in drinking water: a complex interaction beyond adsorption
Summary
Researchers examined the interaction between microplastics and nitrogenous disinfection byproducts in drinking water, investigating how plastic particles may influence the formation or toxicity of these chemical contaminants. The study found that microplastics and nitrogenous disinfection byproducts interact in ways that go beyond simple co-occurrence, potentially altering chemical risks in treated water.
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in drinking water is a growing concern due to their potential health risks and environmental impact. MPs are recognized as carriers for organic micropollutants in water, capable of entering human tissues. In drinking water, nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which are notably more toxic than the regulated DBPs such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), may adsorb onto MPs via hydrophobic or electrostatic interactions. This interaction cannot be ignored, as MPs in treated water might concentrate toxic DBPs during distribution or storage, leading to concerns about the risks of human exposure to these contaminants beyond the individual threats posed by ambient levels of DBPs or MPs alone. This study examines the interactions between MPs and toxic nitrogenous DBPs, including N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), haloacetonitriles (HANs), haloacetamides (HAMs), and halonitromethanes (HNMs), on both virgin and weathered MPs. The polymers ranged in size from 45-250 µm and included polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Observations made to-date indicate that hydrophilic nitrogenous DBPs such as NDMA, HANs, and HAMs exhibit negligible adsorption on hydrophobic MPs like PE, PP, and PVC. Conversely, these DBPs display increased interactions with relatively more hydrophilic polymers such as PA and PET. Specifically, aged PET has shown increased interactions with NDMA, with adsorption levels being influenced by organic compounds like methanol. Weathered PA has demonstrated slightly higher adsorption for HANs and HAMs than the other polymers. Regarding HNMs, they appear to undergo decomposition in the presence of both virgin and weathered PA, with the latter accelerating the degradation process. The research is expanding to experiments in various water matrixes, including artificial freshwater and actual drinking water, to examine how adsorption/interactions may change due to competitive adsorption/interactions in more complicated water matrices. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/547513/document