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Plastic pollution – A case study with Enchytraeus crypticus – From micro-to nanoplastics

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The concern about microplastic (a group of polymers) in the environment may cause us to overlook a more substantial problem: microplastics will fragment into nanoplastics. This fragmentation will lead to a high number of nanoplastics particles. Such nanoplastic can be taken up by cells, as opposed to microscale particles that are either not or to much less extend taken up. Fragmentation into nano will also release materials previously safely embedded in the polymer. We here present results from 25 OECD/ISO in vivo hazard tests, and beyond, e.g. extended exposure duration, with Enchytraeus crypticus, using pristine nano-scale materials (NMs) [CuO, Fe2O3, Organic Pigment, MWCNT], fragmented products (polymers) with these NMs embedded in the matrices (FP_NM), and fragmented polymers without NMs (FP) [covering the 4 major plastic types: Acrylic, Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Epoxy]. For example, MWCNTs induced a highly significant population decrease after extended period of 60 days, despite having no impact after 28 days’ exposure, the standard OECD duration. We conclude, that the standard tests were not suitable to evaluate hazards of these plastic fragments, weathering/ageing of materials is recommended, and extension of test duration can add value to the testing of NMs. We must refocus the concern to testing with polymers (not only “plastics”), from micro-to nano-polymers, and from aquatic to terrestrial environments.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer116363
TidsskriftEnvironmental Pollution
Vol/bind271
ISSN0269-7491
DOI
StatusUdgivet - feb. 2021

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by funds from the European Commission Project: SUN- SUstainable Nanotechnologies ( FP7-NMP-2013-LARGE-7 , GA No. 604305 ) and further supported by NANORIGO - Establishing a NANOtechnology RIsk Governance Framework (H2020-NMBP-TO-IND-2018, NANORIGO GA No. 814530 ). Thanks are also due to FCT / MCTES (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) for financial support to CESAM (Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar) (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020) via national funds. The authors would like to acknowledge the lab work support of MJ Ribeiro and RC Bicho.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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