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Enhanced cytotoxicity of photoaged phenol-formaldehyde resins microplastics: Combined effects of environmentally persistent free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and conjugated carbonyls
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Researchers studied how photoaging affects the toxicity of phenol-formaldehyde resin microplastics, a common inhalable particle released during manufacturing. They found that UV exposure changed the surface chemistry and increased the cytotoxicity of these microplastics, partly due to the release of environmentally persistent free radicals. The study suggests that weathered microplastics may pose greater health risks than freshly produced particles, particularly through inhalation exposure.
Phenol-formaldehyde resin microplastic (PF-MP) is one of the major inhalable microplastics in environments released from the manufacture, processing and usage of PF materials. The associated toxicities of PF-MP might be affected by photoaging. In this study, the dynamic evolutions of the oxidative potential (OP) and redox-active species, including environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxides and conjugated carbonyls, as well as the associated cytotoxicity of PF-MP were systematically investigated as a result of the simulated sunlight irradiation. As the photoaging time extended, the OP of PF-MP increased. The contents of the produced conjugated carbonyls, ROS and PF-bound EPFRs due to light irradiation increased as well, and displayed significant correlations with the OP (Spearman r > 0.6, p < 0.05). The photoaged PF-MP distinctly increased the cellular ROS and reduced the cell viability of human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cells (A549). The cytotoxicity of PF-MP showed a similar trend with the OP level in PF-MP, suggesting that the produced active species induced the in vitro toxicities. The results not only highlight the adverse health effects of photoaged PF-MP, but also provide new perspectives for the environmental risks of airborne MPs.
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Unraveling the impacts of photolysis-induced aging microplastics on enhanced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity
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Researchers compared the toxicity of pristine and sun-aged polyethylene and PET microplastics on kidney cells and immune cells and found that aged particles were up to 40 percent more toxic. The increased harm was attributed to environmentally persistent free radicals that form on plastic surfaces during UV exposure, which amplify oxidative stress inside cells. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in the real environment may pose greater health risks than the pristine particles typically used in laboratory studies.
In Vitro Assessment Reveals the Effects of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals on the Toxicity of Photoaged Tire Wear Particles
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Researchers examined how tire wear particles change when exposed to sunlight and found that the aging process generates environmentally persistent free radicals on their surfaces. These radicals significantly increased the toxicity of the particles in laboratory cell tests, causing oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study suggests that weathered tire particles may be more harmful than freshly released ones, adding a new dimension to microplastic pollution concerns.
Formation of environmentally persistent free radicals on microplastics under UV irradiations
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This study found that UV light from the sun creates long-lasting free radicals on the surface of microplastics, with stronger UV producing more radicals faster. These environmentally persistent free radicals are chemically reactive and can damage cells and DNA. The finding is important because it means sunlight-weathered microplastics in the environment may be more harmful than fresh plastics, carrying these damaging free radicals into the body when ingested or inhaled.
A Critical Review of an Environmental Risk Substance Induced by Aging Microplastics: Insights into Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals
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This review examines how microplastics generate long-lasting free radicals as they age in the environment through exposure to sunlight and chemical reactions. These environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) on aged microplastics can cause oxidative stress and damage to living cells, adding a previously underappreciated layer of toxicity beyond the physical harm caused by the plastic particles themselves.
Formation of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals on Microplastics under Light Irradiation
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Four types of virgin microplastics were aged under simulated solar irradiation and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, finding that polystyrene and phenol-formaldehyde resin produced environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) that decayed slowly, while polyethylene and PVC did not. The study identifies photoaged plastic surfaces as a previously unrecognized source of EPFRs—emerging contaminants with known health risks.
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