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Interactions of Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) with PVC and PE Microplastics in Water
Summary
Microplastic particles remaining in treated drinking water can adsorb chlorination byproducts called trihalomethanes (THMs), potentially acting as vectors that deliver these cancer-associated chemicals into the body. Lab tests showed PVC microplastics adsorbed THMs at up to 18 micrograms per gram, while polyethylene showed little uptake, and weathered plastics behaved differently from virgin material — findings with direct relevance to drinking water safety and the regulation of plastic in water distribution systems.
Microplastics (MPs) remaining after water treatment, along with those that are released from water distribution pipes, can interact with potentially toxic disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formed during chlorination and act as vectors, increasing the likelihood of their transport into the human body via consumption. In this study, lab-scale adsorption trials were conducted to evaluate the interactions of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) with virgin and weathered forms of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) MPs (125-250 µm) in three water matrices. The findings reveal that THMs tend to chemically adsorb onto PVC (up to 18 µg/g). Preliminary experiments showed little evidence for the adsorption of HAAs onto MPs, likely due to their hydrophilicity. For THMs, the Freundlich isotherm model provided the best fit indicating multilayer adsorption onto PVC; however, PE exhibited minimal adsorption. Overall, the adsorption behavior varied with the polymer type, degree of weathering, and water matrix.