Disinfection inducing release of contaminants from baby play mats: microplastics and volatile organic compounds.

Baby play mats serve as essential protective equipment widely utilized in residences, daycares, and kindergartens. Given their direct contact with infants and young children, the pollutants released from play mats may pose potential health risks. This study investigated the impact of disinfection on the release of microplastics (MPs) from play mats and offers an in-depth analysis of the derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) release.

Characterizing the photodegradation-induced release of volatile organic compounds from bottled water containers.

While plastic water bottles are known to potentially release various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when exposed to light, existing knowledge in this field remains limited. In this study, we systematically examined the composition, yield, and toxicity of VOCs released from six plastic containers obtained from different continents under UV-A and solar irradiation. After light exposure, all containers released VOCs, including alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, aromatics, etc.

Microplastics and volatile organic compounds released from face masks after disinfection: Layers and materials differences.

Effective disinfection methods are critical for ensuring the reusability of masks, yet these methods may inadvertently introduce health concerns associated with microplastics (MPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study investigated the impact of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) bleaching on mask filter layers composed of four distinct materials. Our results revealed that UVGI induced more pronounced damage compared to bleaching, leading to the significant release of both MPs and VOCs.

Interfacial quantum chemical characterization of aromatic organic matter adsorption on oxidized microplastic surfaces.

Examining the adsorption efficiency of individual contaminants on microplastics (MPs) is resource-intensive and time-consuming. To address this challenge, combined laboratory adsorption experiments with model simulations were performed to investigate the adsorption capacities and mechanisms of MPs before and after aging. Our adsorption experiments revealed that aged polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs exhibited increased adsorption capacity for benzene, phenol, and naphthalene.

Gaseous products generated from polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate during ultraviolet irradiation: Mechanism, pathway and toxicological analyses.

The generation of various degradation products from microplastics (MPs) has been confirmed under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The gaseous products, primarily volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are usually overlooked, leading to potential unknown risks to humans and the environment. In this study, the generation of VOCs from polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under UV-A (365 nm) and UV-C (254 nm) irradiation in water matrixes were compared.