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Nanoplastics released from daily used silicone and latex products during mechanical breakdown
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This study demonstrated that everyday silicone and latex baby pacifiers release nanoplastic particles when subjected to mechanical stress (simulating normal use), with boiling the pacifiers before use increasing nanoplastic release from silicone versions. Given that pacifiers are used by infants — one of the most vulnerable populations — the findings represent a direct and poorly recognised route of nanoplastic exposure in early life. The research underscores that nanoplastic shedding is not limited to synthetic clothing or packaging but occurs from many common household items.
Waste of polymer products, especially plastics, in nature has become a problem that caught the awareness of the general public during the last decade. The macro- and micro polymers in nature will be broken down by naturally occurring events such as mechanical wear and ultra-violet (UV) radiation which will result in the generation of polymeric particles in the nano-size range. We have recently shown that polystyrene and high-density polyethylene macroplastic can be broken down into nano-sized particles by applying mechanical force from an immersion blender. In this article, we show that particles in the nano-size range are released from silicone and latex pacifiers after the same treatment. Additionally, boiling the pacifiers prior to the mechanical breakdown process results in an increased number of particles released from the silicone but not the latex pacifier. Particles from the latex pacifier are acutely toxic to the freshwater filter feeding zooplankter Daphnia magna.
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Nanoplastics formed during the mechanical breakdown of daily-use polystyrene products
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This study demonstrated that everyday mechanical use of polystyrene products generates nanoplastic particles, confirming that nanoplastics are continuously produced from common consumer items through normal wear and tear. The findings suggest nanoplastic exposure from household products may be more widespread than previously appreciated.
Microplastic release from baby feeding bottles according to different application conditions
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Researchers tested microplastic release from eleven baby feeding bottles of varying materials under multiple realistic use conditions including sterilization, shaking at different temperatures, long-term mechanical stress, and repeated cap handling, using Nile Red staining and fluorescence microscopy supplemented by µRaman spectroscopy. Results showed that bottle brand was a stronger predictor of MP release than bottle material, with temperature and mechanical stress also influencing particle release.
Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use
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Polypropylene baby feeding bottles released thousands to millions of microplastic particles per milliliter of liquid under standard sterilization and preparation conditions, with higher temperatures and mechanical agitation increasing particle shedding, suggesting that infant formula preparation practices may be a significant but overlooked microplastic exposure route for babies.
Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use
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Polypropylene baby feeding bottles released thousands to millions of microplastic particles per milliliter under standard preparation and sterilization conditions, with higher temperatures and agitation increasing shedding, confirming that formula preparation using PP bottles is a significant microplastic exposure pathway for infants.
Nanoplastic Contamination Across Common Beverages and Infant Food: An Assessment of Packaging Influence
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Researchers quantified nanoplastic contamination across diverse commercial beverages and infant foods—including juices, milk, and purees—using pyrolysis-GC-MS, with particular attention to packaging material contributions. Nanoplastics were detected in all tested products, with packaging source strongly influencing contamination levels, and infant food products showed concerning nanoplastic burdens given young children's heightened vulnerability.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.