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Effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on the availability of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in aqueous environment
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Researchers found that nanoplastics and microplastics can sorb pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water, with smaller nanoplastics showing 1-2 orders of magnitude stronger sorption than microplastics, potentially reducing the bioavailability of these contaminants in aquatic environments.
Nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) could act as potential carriers for pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and alter the bioavailability in the aquatic environment. The effects of NPs and MPs of polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) on the availability of five PPCPs including carbamazepine, bisphenol A, estrone, triclocarban and 4-tert-octylphenol were investigated by negligible depletion solid- phase microextraction (nd-SPME). The freely dissolved concentrations of PPCPs decreased with the increasing concentrations of NPs/MPs. The overall order of the sorption coefficients (logK / logK) of PPCPs was as follows: 100 nm PS > 50 nm PS > 1 µm PS > 100 µm PS > 100 µm PE. Sorption of PPCPs by NPs was generally 1-2 orders of magnitude stronger than to MPs. The log K / log K values (3.16-5.21) increased with the log K (2.45-5.28) of PPCPs, however, linear correlation was only observed between log K and log K. The particle size, specific surface area, aggregation state as well as hydrophobicity played an important role in the sorption. Coexistence of fulic acid (FA) with NPs inhibited the sorption due to the fouling of FA on NPs. This study suggests that sorption of PPCPs to MPs/NPs could reduce bioavailability of PPCPs in the aquatic environment.
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Researchers investigated the sorption behavior of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) on high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in aquatic systems. They found that microplastics adsorb PPCPs to concentrations orders of magnitude higher than the surrounding water, demonstrating that plastic particles act as concentrators and potential vectors for pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments. The study adds to evidence that microplastics amplify co-contaminant exposure risks for aquatic organisms.
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This study examined how different types of microplastics adsorb hydrophilic pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in aquatic environments, finding that polymer type and surface properties governed the interaction mechanisms. The results indicate that microplastics can act as vectors for these emerging contaminants.
Sorption of selected pharmaceutical compounds on polyethylene microplastics: Roles of pH, aging, and competitive sorption
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Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics adsorb pharmaceutical compounds including an antibiotic, a beta-blocker, and an antidepressant, with sorption capacity influenced by pH, aging of the plastic, and competition between compounds — raising concern about microplastics as carriers of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments.
Sorption of pharmaceuticals on the surface of microplastics
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Researchers tested the ability of four common microplastic types to adsorb nine pharmaceutical compounds frequently found as water pollutants. They found that sorption involved both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, but under natural environmental conditions the binding was relatively weak. The study suggests that while microplastics can interact with pharmaceutical residues, their role as carriers of these contaminants in real aquatic environments may be more limited than previously assumed.
Unravelling the complex interactions between microplastics and PPCPs: The environment and health implications
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This review examines how microplastics interact with pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), finding that the large hydrophobic surface area of microplastics enhances PPCP adsorption, increasing their persistence, bioavailability, and potential for biomagnification through food webs.
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