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Characterization and evaluation of environmental impact of wall paints
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This study characterized seven commercially available wall paints and assessed their potential as environmental pollutants through abrasion and weathering. The researchers found that paint degradation releases microplastics and potentially toxic pigment compounds, identifying architectural coatings as an underrecognized source of plastic particulate pollution.
Paints used as cosmetic and architectural surface coatings constitute essential structural components, however, they may also act as significant environmental pollutants due to abrasion and weathering processes. Following environmental disturbances such as earthquakes and landslides, these materials can contribute substantially to surface and groundwater contamination. Seven commercially available wall paints of different colors and formulation qualities were selected for analysis, including Sand White (P1), Beige (P2), Ceiling White (P3), Ivory (P4), Exterior White (P5), Anthracite (P6), and Red (P7), which were expected to contain distinct additive compositions. Structural characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental analysis via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Particle size distributions were determined with a Malvern Zetasizer Nano-ZS. Although all paints demonstrated a measurable potential to generate microplastics (MPs), no acute toxicity was observed in Danio rerio or Escherichia coli under the tested conditions.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.