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Insight into the chemical transformation and organic release of polyurethane microplastics during chlorination
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Scientists investigated what happens to polyurethane microplastics during water chlorination, a standard step in water treatment. They found that chlorination breaks down the plastic surface and releases organic chemicals, especially from UV-weathered particles, which produced significantly more leached compounds. The findings suggest that water treatment processes themselves may inadvertently release harmful byproducts from microplastics.
The ubiquitous occurrence of microplastics in water and wastewater is a growing concern. In this study, the chemical transformation and organic release of virgin and UV-aged thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymers during chlorination were investigated. As compared to virgin TPU polymer, the UV-aged TPU polymer exhibited high chlorine reactivity with noticeable destruction on its surface functional groups after chlorination, which could be ascribed to the UV-induced activation of hard segment of TPU backbone and increased contact area. The concentrations of leached organics increased by 1.6-fold with obviously high abundances of low-molecular-weight components. Additives, monomers, compounds relating to TPU chain extension, and their chlorination byproducts contributed to the increased organic release. Meanwhile, the formation of chloroform, haloacetic acids, trichloroacetaldehyde, and dichloroacetonitrile increased by 3.8-, 1.7-, 4.9-, and 2.4-fold, respectively. Two additives and six chlorination byproducts in leachate from chlorinated UV-aged TPU were predicted as highly toxic, e.g., butyl octyl phthalate, palmitic acid, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone, and chlorinated aniline. Evaluated by human hepatocarcinoma cells, the 50% lethal concentration factor of organics released from chlorinated UV-aged TPU was approximately 10% of that from its virgin counterpart, indicating a substantially increased level of cytotoxicity. This study highlights that the release of additives and chlorination byproducts from the chemical transformation of UV-aged microplastics during chlorination may be of potentially toxic concern.
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Effects of UV light on physicochemical changes in thermoplastic polyurethanes: Mechanism and disinfection byproduct formation
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Researchers examined how UV light exposure changes the properties of thermoplastic polyurethane microplastics in water and whether those changes affect the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts during water chlorination. They found that UV exposure broke the plastic into smaller fragments and released soluble chemicals that significantly increased byproduct formation after chlorination. The findings suggest that aging microplastics in water systems could contribute to the creation of potentially harmful chemicals during standard water treatment.
Insight into the dynamic transformation properties of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its contribution to the formation of chlorination disinfection by-products
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Researchers studied how dissolved organic matter released from microplastics transforms under UV light and how it contributes to the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts during water chlorination. They found that UV exposure changed the chemical composition of the microplastic-derived organic matter, affecting its reactivity during disinfection. The findings suggest that microplastics in water sources may indirectly increase the formation of potentially harmful chemicals during standard water treatment.
UV aging of microplastic polymers promotes their chemical transformation and byproduct formation upon chlorination
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Researchers studied how UV aging of different microplastic polymers affects their behavior during water chlorination treatment. They found that UV aging significantly increased the reactivity of polyamide and polyester microplastics, promoting the release of harmful organic compounds and the formation of disinfection byproducts by more than 10-fold. The study reveals that weathered microplastics in drinking water systems may generate more toxic byproducts during standard chlorination than their pristine counterparts.
Transformation of microplastics during UV-LED based water disinfection: Mechanistic insights and environmental implications
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Researchers investigated how UV-based water disinfection treatments transform the physical and chemical properties of common microplastics like polystyrene, polyethylene, and PVC. They found that treatment created surface cracks, reduced water repellency, and generated various breakdown compounds, some of which showed toxicity to aquatic organisms. The study highlights that while UV disinfection effectively treats pathogens, it may inadvertently create new environmental risks by altering microplastics in the water supply.
Unveiling the optical and molecular characteristics of aging microplastics derived dissolved organic matter transformed by UV/chlor(am)ine oxidation and its potential for disinfection byproducts formation
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Researchers studied how UV light and common water disinfection chemicals break down microplastics in water and found that different treatment methods produce different types of dissolved organic matter from the plastic. Some treatment combinations, particularly UV with chlorine, created byproducts that could form harmful disinfection byproducts when water is later chlorinated. This is important because it means water treatment processes might unintentionally create new toxic compounds from the microplastics already present in water.
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