Leaching of heavy metals from polyester microplastic fibers and the potential risks in simulated real-world scenarios

Zuo，Chencheng1; Li，Yue1; Chen，Yuye1; Jiang，Jing2; Qiu，Wenhui3; Chen，Qiqing1,4

2024-01-05

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132639

Journal of Hazardous Materials   影响因子和分区

0304-3894

1873-3336

Heavy metals have been incorporated as additives into synthetic textiles to enhance their functional properties. However, these fibers are susceptible to shedding due to mechanical wear, and the release of heavy metals from microplastic fibers (MFs) remains largely uncharacterized. Therefore, this study sought to quantify the levels of heavy metals in textiles, evaluate their leaching capabilities under various scenarios, and ultimately assess the potential health risks associated with MFs ingestion. First, we determined the metal content in eight commonly used polyester textiles. Subsequently, we estimated the metal leaching capacities of specific MFs sourced from carpets, curtains, sweaters, and scarves in freshwater, human saliva, human lung fluid, and fish gastric fluid at distinct time intervals. The results indicated that carpets contained the highest amount of total metals, with a concentration of 218 ± 8 mg/kg. Ultraviolet weathering, coupled with longer exposure durations, led to surface coarsening of MFs, which may be the primary reason for the enhanced leaching of metals in freshwater. Furthermore, our findings revealed that carbonyl index was unsuitable for characterizing aging because polyester inherently contains carbonyl groups. Instead, the O/C ratio emerged as a more suitable indicator. The leached concentrations and percentages of metals from MFs exhibited the following order in biofluids: Sb>Mn>Cr and Cr>Mn>Pb in biofluids, respectively. Finally, the estimated daily intake of metals was significantly below the tolerable thresholds (0.0014–0.14 mg/kg/d for fish and 0.0036–1.0 mg/kg/d for humans), indicating a negligible risk of heavy metal exposure through MFs for both fish and humans. Environmental implication: In recent years, the ecological risks posed by heavy metal contaminants loaded onto microplastic fibers have become an increasing concern. Therefore, our study sought to characterize the accumulation of heavy metals on plastic fabrics and the potential for these loaded heavy metals to be released when microplastic fibers originating from these fabrics enter freshwater environments and interact with organisms. This vector-like behavior underscores the importance of investigating the ecological hazards associated with microplastic fibers carrying contaminants in both environmental and organismal contexts.

Daily intake Heavy metals Leaching Microplastic fibers Polyester

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

ENGINEERING

2-s2.0-85173464920

Scopus

1.State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research,East China Normal University,Shanghai,200241,China
2.School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Suzhou University of Science and Technology,Suzhou,215009,China
3.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control,School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District,518055,China
4.Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station,Ministry of Education & Shanghai Science and Technology Committee,Shanghai,200241,China

Zuo，Chencheng,Li，Yue,Chen，Yuye,et al. Leaching of heavy metals from polyester microplastic fibers and the potential risks in simulated real-world scenarios[J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials,2024,461.

Zuo，Chencheng,Li，Yue,Chen，Yuye,Jiang，Jing,Qiu，Wenhui,&Chen，Qiqing.(2024).Leaching of heavy metals from polyester microplastic fibers and the potential risks in simulated real-world scenarios.Journal of Hazardous Materials,461.

Zuo，Chencheng,et al."Leaching of heavy metals from polyester microplastic fibers and the potential risks in simulated real-world scenarios".Journal of Hazardous Materials 461(2024).