Chloe Zhang
Nanoplastics are the smallest microplastics, far narrower than a human hair. They can come from a variety of polymer types, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. Nanoplastics are generated as larger microplastics break down into smaller pieces. They have been found in every environmental compartment on Earth, including bottled water, and can be inhaled from the air. They can also be produced for use in coatings and biomedical purposes. The toxicity of nanoplastics is an ongoing area of research, as they can easily penetrate cells and tissues and may pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nanoplastics size | Far narrower than a human hair |
| Composition | Polymer types including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride |
| Origin | Plastic fragmentation, or produced for use in products for coatings, biomedical purposes |
| Presence | Found in every environmental compartment on Earth, including bottled water |
| Health impact | May induce oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, DNA damage, cardiovascular issues, and neurobehavioral outcomes |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic products
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size, while nanoplastics are even smaller, typically considered to be less than 1 micron (µm) in size. These particles can be manufactured to be that size or can result from the breakdown of larger plastics in the environment. While there is ongoing research into the health effects of nanoplastics, studies have shown that they can invade living organisms, cross biological barriers, and have toxic effects.
Nanoplastics can be directly released into the environment or derived from the disintegration of plastic. They are widely detected in environmental samples and the food chain, including in bottled water, ocean fish, air, soil, and food. Their small size and varying surface properties pose unique challenges, as they can easily penetrate cells and tissues that larger particles cannot.
To address the issues associated with nanoplastics in the environment, researchers are working on developing better technologies to remove them from water. There is also a focus on exploring new materials to replace plastics and reduce the exposure of micro- and nanoplastics in various products. Overall, the understanding of nanoplastics and their impacts on the environment and human health is still evolving, and further research is needed to develop effective strategies for managing and mitigating their effects.
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Car tires
Tire wear represents a large source of microplastic entering the aquatic environment, and therefore likely also of nanoplastic pollution. A study focusing on road runoff in Europe found that tire wear particles occurred in relatively high concentrations compared to microplastics in general. The study also found that tire wear particles were present in road runoff alongside other pollutants, including several toxic chemicals.
The impact of nanoplastics on human health is not yet fully understood. However, research has shown that almost every cell type in the body is affected if it comes into contact with nanoplastics, and the interaction generally results in inflammation, which can cause other problems. Nanoplastics have been found in human blood, semen, and breast milk and in brains, livers, and bone marrow. Humans are exposed to nanoplastics through the food we eat and the water we drink. Nanoplastics in the ocean are consumed by microscopic organisms like plankton and algae, which are then eaten by small fish and make their way up the food chain to humans. Humans also breathe in nanoplastics, which enter the air around streets from car tires and industrial plants that produce plastic.
Scientists are working on developing better technologies to remove nanoplastics from water. Physical methods include filtration using new membrane materials and adsorption with various materials that can bind to pollutants and remove them.
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Bottled water
Plastic pollution is a growing concern, and plastic bottles are a major contributor to this issue. When plastics break down, they can form smaller particles called microplastics, which are 5mm or less in length. Microplastics, in turn, can break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics, which are less than 1 μm in size. These particles are so small that they can pass through the intestines and lungs and enter the bloodstream, travelling to organs like the heart and brain.
The presence of nanoplastics in bottled water has been detected through new imaging techniques, which have helped to identify and count these minute particles. However, the health effects of ingesting nanoplastics are still unclear and require further research. While the impact on human health is uncertain, limiting single-use plastics is important for environmental reasons, as millions of metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year.
To reduce exposure to nanoplastics, individuals can switch from bottled water to filtered tap water, which has been shown to significantly reduce microplastic intake. Additionally, reducing the use of single-use plastics in daily life can help lower environmental pollution and potential human exposure to nanoplastics.
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PET plastics
Nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles with a diameter of less than one micrometre (one-thousandth of a metre). They are formed when larger plastics break down into smaller pieces through exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, or waves. This process of degradation turns larger plastics into microplastics, which then further break down into nanoplastics.
Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET, is one of the most commonly produced plastics. It is widely used for food packaging and beverages due to its high resistance, microorganism repulsion, and corrosion resistance. PET is estimated to have a production volume of approximately 23.7 million metric tons.
Due to its widespread use, PET contributes significantly to the proliferation of plastics in the environment. Plastic particles have been found in various environments, including seawater, freshwater, soil, and air. The degradation of PET and other plastics leads to the production of microplastics and nanoplastics, which have potential toxicological effects if inhaled or ingested.
In a study using mouse macrophages, it was observed that PET nanoparticles were easily internalized by the cells. The nanoparticles affected cell proliferation and increased the production of reactive oxygen. This indicates that PET nanoplastics can have toxic effects on cells, which is a concern for human health and the environment.
While the impact of microplastics has been widely studied, there is limited research on the quantities, varieties, and toxicity of nanoplastics, especially on the human body at the subcellular or molecular level. The small size of nanoplastics allows them to permeate through biological membranes, potentially causing systemic exposure through the gut, lungs, and skin. As a result, there is a growing concern about the toxicological potential of nanoplastics and their impact on the environment and human health.
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Food and drink
Nanoplastics are plastic particles ranging in size from 1 nm to 1 μm. They are commonly found in food and beverages due to environmental contamination during the growing or production process. Here are some ways through which nanoplastics enter our food and drink:
Water
Nanoplastics have been detected in both tap and bottled water. The water distribution system, including old and worn pipes, pumps, and valves, can be a source of nanoplastics through corrosion and the release of plastic particles into the water. Studies have found that bottled water can contain hundreds of thousands of nanoplastic fragments per litre. Additionally, nanoplastics can be released into water through the industrial discharge of poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the use of plastic products, such as tea bags, which release plastic particles when exposed to hot water.
Food
Nanoplastics can contaminate food through environmental exposure during the growing process. For example, sewage sludge used as crop fertiliser has contaminated millions of acres of farmland with microplastics, which can break down into nanoplastics over time. Additionally, nanoplastics can be released directly into the environment through the structural disintegration of plastic waste, which can then contaminate agricultural soil and enter the food chain.
Food Packaging and Processing
Plastic packaging and processing equipment can also be a source of nanoplastics in food. Plastic packaging is commonly used for many products in grocery stores, and the use of plastic in food contact applications, such as processing equipment and cookware, can result in the contamination of food with nanoplastic particles.
While the presence of nanoplastics in food and beverages is concerning, the scientific evidence regarding their risk to human health is still being evaluated. However, the small size and potential toxicity of nanoplastics warrant further research and regulatory attention to ensure food safety and implement monitoring strategies for products intended for human consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Nanoplastics are the result of larger plastic debris breaking down into smaller pieces. They can also be produced for use in coatings and biomedical products.
Nanoplastics are several orders of magnitude smaller than microplastics and are far narrower than a human hair.
Nanoplastics can enter the human body through oral intake, air inhalation, and dermal exposure. They can pass through the intestines and lungs and enter the bloodstream, travelling to organs including the heart and brain.
The potential toxicity of nanoplastics is an area of ongoing research. Studies have shown that nanoplastics may induce various biological responses, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, DNA damage, and interference with cellular structures.
