Comparative Assessment of the Migration of Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles from Polymer Bottles under Simulated Operating Conditions

This study provides a comprehensive comparison of polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC) bottles with respect to their chemical and mechanical stability under simulated conditions of routine consumer use, including thermal and chemical stress. The release of micro- and nanoplastics was systematically evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis revealed noticeable surface degradation, microcrack formation, and material fatigue, particularly in PP samples, indicating progressive structural deterioration. DLS measurements confirmed the presence of a broad particle size distribution ranging from 3.6 to 3777 nm, with high polydispersity indices (PDI > 0.7), reflecting heterogeneous particle release. Overall, PP exhibited a higher tendency to release micro- and nanoplastics, which is attributed to its lower thermal resistance and reduced chemical stability compared to PC. However, an environmental impact assessment using the AGREEMIP framework showed that PP has a comparatively lower overall environmental footprint. In contrast, PC presents higher potential health and environmental risks, primarily due to the possible release of toxic monomers and the hazardous reagents involved in its synthesis.