Common Single-Use Consumer Plastic Products Release Trillions ofSub-100 nm Nanoparticles per Liter into Water during Normal Use

This study demonstrates that commonly used consumer productssuch as single-use food grade nylon bags and hot beverage cups lined with low-density polyethylene release nanometer-sized plastic particles at number densities>1012L-1when exposed to water. The number of particles released was a functionof the initial water temperature (high temperature vs ambient) for each of thetested materials. Mean particle diameters were between 30 and 80 nm with fewparticles >200 nm. The number of particles released into hot water from foodgrade nylon was 7 times higher when compared to single-use beverage cups. On aparticle number density basis, particles released into water from a single 300 mLhot beverage cup equate to one particle for every seven cells in the human body ina size range available for cellular uptake.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that commonly used consumer products release nanometer-sized plastic particles when exposed to water. The number of particles released depends on the initial water temperature and the type of material. Food grade nylon released 7 times more particles than single-use beverage cups in hot water. On a particle number density basis, the particles released into water from a single hot beverage cup equate to one particle for every seven cells in the human body in a size range available for cellular uptake.