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UV-Irradiation Facilitating Pb Release from Recycled PVC Microplastics
Summary
Researchers found that UV light exposure causes microplastics made from recycled PVC to release lead (Pb), a toxic heavy metal used as a stabilizer in older PVC formulations. This shows that environmental weathering of plastic pollution can release hazardous chemical additives into water and soil.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously in ecosystem and have evoked wide attention. The potential risk of MPs to the ecosystems is associated with MPs and the additives such as Pb, which serves as a traditional stabilizer. However, the release of Pb from MPs remains largely unknown. In this study, we evaluated the release of Pb from recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) under UV-irradiation. The release process was dominated by two processes: H facilitated dissolution of Pb, and light-induced hydroxyl radical (·OH) caused C-H bond cleavage from PVC with the generation of alkyl radical. The effects of pH and coexisting low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) were also evaluated. Lower pH speeds up the Pb release from MPs. The LMWOAs act as a filter of UV to restrain the Pb release. Overall, this study shows the release of Pb from recycled PVC MPs and indicates the potential risk of Pb to the environment.