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The characteristics of dissolved organic matter release from UV-aged microplastics and its cytotoxicity on human colonic adenocarcinoma cells
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Researchers investigated how UV-aged polyurethane microplastics release dissolved organic matter and its toxic effects on human colon cells. They found that the concentration of released organic matter increases with longer aging time, and its cytotoxicity also increases accordingly, with air-aged microplastics releasing more than water-aged ones. The study suggests that weathered microplastics may pose growing health concerns as they release increasing amounts of potentially harmful organic compounds over time.
There are a large number of microplastic (MPs) in the sea or on land, most of which undergo physical, chemical or biological processes leading to the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In this study, we analyzed the change of Polyurethane microplastic (PU-MPs) valence bond under different aging conditions thanks to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and its surface characteristics using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and also described the characteristics of DOM dissolved from PU (PU-DOM) under UV aging process in two different medium (water and air), based on Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) measurements, UV-visible spectrometer and Three-dimensional excitation emission matrices (3D-EEMs). The DOC data both showed that Under UV aging of different systems, PU-DOM concentration increases with the extension of aging time, and correspondingly, its toxicity to human colon adenocarcinoma cells also increases, but the release amount of PU-DOM under air aging is higher than that of PU-DOM in water. We speculate that it may be the refraction and scattering of water, which leads to the reduction of the intensity of UV radiation. 3D-EEMs identified tryptophan-like fluorescent component and tyrosine-like component, meanwhile, the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) data further confirmed the formation of acid substances. The results further confirmed that the composition of PU-DOM in different systems is the same, but the release amount is different. The contents of the produced conjugated carbonyls and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) because of light irradiation increased likewise. The cytotoxicity of PU-DOM was consistent with the changing trend of ROS level in PU-MPs, suggesting that the produced ROS induced the in vitro toxicities. The results not only highlight the adverse health effects of photoaged PU-MPs, but also provide new perspectives for the environmental risks of MPs.
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Researchers investigated how different aging conditions affect the release of dissolved organic carbon and nanoplastics from PVC and polystyrene microplastics over 130 days. The study found that UV aging and high temperatures promoted the release of nanoplastics and altered the chemical characteristics of leached substances, with UV-aged treatments producing smaller, rougher nanoparticles that may pose greater ecological risks.
Influence of chemical aging processes on releasing organic products from microplastics
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This study examined how chemical aging processes, including UV exposure and oxidation, affect the release of organic compounds from microplastic particles. The results showed that weathered microplastics release different and sometimes more abundant chemical products than pristine particles, increasing their chemical hazard in the environment.
UV weathering alters toxicity and chemical composition of consumer plastic leachates
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Researchers examined how UV weathering changes the toxicity and chemical makeup of leachates from eight types of consumer plastic products. They found that UV exposure increased cytotoxicity up to 13-fold, particularly for polyethylene leachates, and enhanced reactive toxicity by up to 82%. The increased toxicity was primarily linked to the release and transformation of organic chemicals rather than the microplastic particles themselves, highlighting UV weathering as a critical driver of plastic pollution hazards.
Molecular characteristics and plastic additives in dissolved organic matter derived from polystyrene microplastics: Effects of cumulative irradiation and microplastic concentrations
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This study investigated how ultraviolet light breaks down polystyrene microplastics and releases dissolved organic matter, including plastic additives, into the surrounding water. Greater UV exposure produced more complex chemical mixtures with higher levels of potentially toxic compounds. The findings are important because sunlight-driven breakdown of microplastics in the environment may release harmful chemicals into water sources that people use for drinking and recreation.
New Insights into the Long-Term Leaching Process of Dissolved Organic Matter from Microplastics: Dynamic Formation and Transformation Mechanism
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This study tracked how polystyrene and a biodegradable plastic (PBAT) release dissolved organic compounds as they age under ultraviolet light over 94 days. Polystyrene released chemicals much more slowly but with steadily increasing toxicity over time, while the biodegradable plastic released compounds faster but with less overall toxic buildup. These findings are important because they show that microplastics in the environment continuously leach potentially harmful chemicals, and so-called biodegradable plastics may not be as safe an alternative as assumed.
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