Occurrence and backtracking of #microplastic mass loads including tire wear particles in northern Atlantic #air

Few studies report the occurrence of microplastics (MP), including tire wear particles (TWP) in the marine #atmosphere, and little data is available regarding their size or sources. Here we present active air sampling devices (low- and high-volume samplers) for the evaluation of composition and MP mass loads in the marine #atmosphere. Air was sampled during a research cruise along the Norwegian coast up to Bear Island. Samples were analyzed with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, generating a mass-based data set for MP in the marine atmosphere. Here we show the ubiquity of MP, even in remote Arctic areas with concentrations up to 37.5 ng m−3. Cluster of #polyethylene terephthalate (max. 1.5 ng m−3) were universally present. TWP (max. 35 ng m−3) and cluster of #polystyrene, #polypropylene, and #polyurethane (max. 1.1 ng m−3) were also detected. Atmospheric transport and dispersion models, suggested the introduction of MP into the marine atmosphere equally from sea- and land-based emissions, transforming the ocean from a #sink into a #source for MP.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39340-5#Abs1

Microwaving Plastic Baby Food Containers Releases Toxins:
When you microwave a plastic baby food jar or pouch, you release tens of billions of nanoplastic particles and tens of millions of microplastic particles. #babyfood #plastics #polypropylene #jars #pouches
https://www.instagram.com/p/CviC1t9rXQ0/

#Nurdles: The Worst #ToxicWaste You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Billions of these tiny #plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous

by Karen McVeigh

"Nurdles, the colloquial term for 'pre-production #plastic pellets', are the little-known building block for all our plastic products. The tiny beads can be made of #polyethylene, #polypropylene, #polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (#PVC) and other plastics. Released into the environment from plastic plants or when shipped around the world as raw material to factories, they will sink or float, depending on the density of the pellets and if they are in freshwater or saltwater.

"They are often mistaken for food by seabirds, fish and other wildlife. In the environment, they fragment into nanoparticles whose hazards are more complex. They are the second-largest source of #micropollutants in the ocean, by weight, after tyre dust. An astounding 230,000 tonnes of nurdles end up in oceans every year."

#PlasticPollution #Micrplastics

Read more: https://getpocket.com/explore/item/nurdles-the-worst-toxic-waste-you-ve-probably-never-heard-of?utm_source=pocket-newtab

#ThermoplasticPolyolefin (#TPO) is a type of #thermoplastic #elastomer that is made from a combination of #polypropylene and ethylene-based materials. TPO is a popular choice of material for many applications, thanks to its excellent weatherability and durability. It is also very lightweight and resistant to chemicals and abrasion. The use of TPO is widespread in applications such as roofing membranes, automotive components, and medical devices.

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/thermoplastic-polyolefin-market-256331319.html

@DokterHuis @repo @Katrien Dolce Gusto capsules zijn gemaakt van #polypropylene. Er zitten ook nog wat andere materialen in dit ingenieuze filtertje. Nespresso is puur aluminium. Niks andere materialen en daarom makkelijker te recycleren.