Nanoplastics, Trojan horses for heavy metals

Nanoplastics, Trojan horses for heavy metals

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Nanoplastics generated by the disintegration of plastic waste absorb the ions of heavy metals very easily, and bring them to us.

The nanoplastics that derive from the natural fragmentation of abandoned plastic waste are particularly efficient in absorbing the traces of heavy metals present in ecosystems and in introducing them to the food chain. A search published on ACS ES & T Water He adds, to the already known harmful effects of the nanoplastics on the human body, the ability of these fragments to facilitate the entry of dangerous industrial contaminants into organs and fabrics.

Closer to reality. Nanoplastics are plastic fragments of size between 0.001 and 0.1 micrometers (i.e. between 1 and 100 nanometers). Their effects on the living are usually studied using nanoplastics in polystyrene (polystyrene) of uniform dimensions produced commercially, but more rarely with real nanoparticles, with irregular dimensions. Scientists from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (USA) instead succeeded in this second intent. Showing that too shapes and sizes of plastic fragments influence the ability to absorb contaminants external and their final toxicity for the body.

Nanospugne for metals. The researchers used coarse salt to grind bottles of water in pet (polyethylene tereftolato), boxes of polystyrene candies (or polystyrene) and polypropylene food containers extracted from garbage cans. The procedure made it possible to obtain nanoplastics of irregular forms from real waste without the need for chemicals, and of a lower size to the 200 nanometers.

Nanoplastics have proven particularly efficient in absorbing heavy metal ions Like lead, cadmium, manganese, cobalt, zinc. In particular, polypropylene, used in many home -made products, toys, packaging and bottles, has shown the highest absorption capacity between the three plastics: in 5 minutes as soon as it absorbed 99% of lead ions.

Transport systems. According to the researchers, the irregular surface nanoplastics in the real world facilitates the absorption of heavy metal ions because it offers more “holds” to form possible bonds; Once loaded with these substances, nanoplastics can transport them to the organism of the living, in which they penetrate in ease, facilitating the bioaccumulus (i.e. their gradual increase through the food chain).

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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