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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Food & Water Human Health Effects Remediation Sign in to save

Evaluation of Polyciclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water and Microplastics

Scientific Repository of the National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge (Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge) 2021
Sílvia José, Iryna Rehan, Luísa Jordão

Summary

Researchers measured five cancer-linked PAH compounds in water samples and found that microplastics can bind these chemicals, potentially concentrating them. This suggests microplastics may act as carriers of carcinogenic compounds in drinking water and aquatic environments.

Polymers
HDPE LDPE PE PET PP PS
Study Type Environmental

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of environmental contaminants, classified as potentially toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic, being an important public health concern. In the present study, we assayed different samples of water (superficial water, groundwater and tap water) for five PAHs: pyrene (Pyr), 1-chloro-pyrene (1-ClPyr), 1-bromine-pyrene (1-BrPyr), benzo-a-anthracene (BaA) and 7-chloro-benzo-a-anthracene (7-ClBaA) by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after sample concentration by solid phase microextraction. The adsorption of most abundant PAHs (Pyr) by PET (polyethyleneterephthalate), HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density PE), PP (polypropylene) and PS (polystyrene) particles with 4 mm diameter (microplastics) dispersed in freshwater was assessed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) after 3 and 30 days. Our data showed that, all types of plastic adsorbed Pyr without statiscally significant difference. Adsorption enhances Pyr stability contributing to its persistence /accumulation in the environment.

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