Plastic waste is a pervasive environmental problem, breaking down into microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics. These particles, less than 1,000 nanometers in size, can be absorbed into the human body through air, water, and food. A new study shows that these tiny plastics might be more harmful than previously understood due to their ability to interact with and carry toxic heavy metals.

Plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans breaks down into tiny particles that can enter our ecosystem and bodies.

(Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash)

In a study published in *ACS ES&T Water*, researchers created nanoplastics (NPs) from common plastic waste like PET, polystyrene, and polypropylene. They found these NPs could efficiently adsorb heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and zinc. The process, known as adsorption, involves the metals sticking to the surface of the plastic particles. Polypropylene (PP) nanoplastics were especially effective at this.

The study’s findings suggest that nanoplastics can act as carriers for harmful substances. The strong bond between the NPs and heavy metals means these toxic materials can be transported into living organisms. This increases the risk of bioaccumulation, where toxins build up in the body over time, leading to a range of potential health problems.

Understanding how nanoplastics interact with other pollutants is crucial for assessing their true environmental and health impact.

(Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash)

With nanoplastics already being found in human blood, feces, and even placentas, their ability to carry heavy metals poses a significant and direct risk to human health. The researchers stress the need for more studies to fully understand the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and heavy metals and to develop effective strategies for mitigating this complex form of pollution.