Atmospheric emission of nanoplastics from sewer pipe repairs

Morales, Ana C.; Tomlin, Jay M.; West, Christopher P.; Rivera-Adorno, Felipe A.; Peterson, Brianna N.; Sharpe, Steven A. L.; Noh, Yoorae; Sendesi, Seyedeh M. T.; Boor, Brandon E.; Howarter, John A.; Moffet, Ryan C.; China, Swarup; O’Callahan, Brian T.; El-Khoury, Patrick Z.; Whelton, Andrew J.; Laskin, Alexander

doi:10.1038/s41565-022-01219-9

Atmospheric emission of nanoplastics from sewer pipe repairs

Journal Article · Thu Oct 06 04:00:00 EDT 2022 · Nature Nanotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-022-01219-9· OSTI ID:1988613

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Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
Sonoma Technology, Inc., Petaluma, CA (United States)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Nanoplastic particles are inadequately characterized environmental pollutants with significant adverse effects on aquatic and atmospheric systems, causing drastic impacts on human health through inhalation, ingestion, and skin penetration. At present, it is explicitly assumed that environmental nanoplastics (EnvNP) are weathering fragments of microplastic or larger plastic debris discharged into terrestrial and aquatic environments, while atmospheric occurrence of EnvNP is solely attributed to aerosolization by wind and other mechanical forces. However, sources and emissions of unintended EnvNP are poorly understood and are therefore largely unaccounted for in various risk assessments. In this work, we show that large quantities of EnvNP may be directly emitted into the atmosphere as steam laden waste components discharged from a commonly used technology to repair sewer pipes in urban areas. Comprehensive chemical analysis of the discharged waste condensate reveals abundant presence of insoluble colloids, which after drying form solid organic particles with composition and viscosity consistent with EnvNP. We suggest that airborne emissions of EnvNP from these globally used sewer repair practices may be prevalent in highly populated urban areas. Airborne emissions of these EnvNP particles may have important implications on air quality and toxicological levels in large urban areas that need to be mitigated.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830; AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1988613

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-176507

Journal Information:: Nature Nanotechnology, Journal Name: Nature Nanotechnology Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 17; ISSN 1748-3387

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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