High levels of microparticles release from biodegradable polylactic acid paper cups compared with polyethylene-lined cups
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2023Access:
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Luming Yang, Dunzhu Li, Yunhong Shi, Christopher Hill, Rekha Pilliadugula, Laura Page, Jing Jing Wang, John J. Boland, Liwen Xiao, High levels of microparticles release from biodegradable polylactic acid paper cups compared with polyethylene-lined cups, Chemical Engineering Journal, 468, 2023, 143620Download Item:
Abstract:
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular replacement for conventional fossil-fuel based plastics products such as
polyethylene (PE) due to its high biodegradability and recyclability. Previous studies confirmed that PLA
microplastics (MPs) and PE MPs pose similar toxicity risks due to that MPs’ risk is primarily attributed to physical
and indirect nutritional effects. Surprisingly, despite the widespread use, there have been very few studies of
microparticles released from daily products made of biodegradable materials. We investigated release levels from
eight single-use paper cups (SUPCs) lined with PLA and PE film. Under typical hot-beverage preparation conditions, the total number of particles released from PLA SUPCs was 4.2 times higher than that from PE SUPCs,
with total numbers of 180,000 ± 31,000 and 43,000 ± 10,000 particles per litre, respectively. 22,000 ± 6,000
MPs were released per litre from PLA, which was 3.6 times the level of MPs released from PE SUPCs. In addition,
significant levels of cellulose microfibres were released from PLA SUPCs, with quantities of 38,000 ± 31,000
microfibres per litre, while no such fibres were released from PE SUPCs. It should be noted that the levels of these
particles may be underestimated due to the exclusion of nanoparticles (less than 0.8 μm, filter’s pore size),
unidentified microparticles with high fluorescence backgrounds and attachments between different types of
particles. In summary, a proportionately higher level of release of additive microparticles together with the
release of cellulose microparticles are the key difference between biodegradable plastics like PLA and conventional plastic such as PE. Cellulose blending in manufacturing is likely related to higher MPs release from PLA
cups than PE cups. Therefore, it is highly recommended to re-assess the manufacturing process, potential health
and environmental risks of biodegradable plastic products as well as the formulation of related policies.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
20/FIP/PL/8733
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
16/IA/ 4462
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
12/RC/2278_P2,
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/jbolandhttp://people.tcd.ie/lxiao
http://people.tcd.ie/lid3
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PUBLISHEDSponsor:
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
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Series/Report no:
Chemical Engineering Journal;468;
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Full text availableKeywords:
Polylactic acid (PLA), high biodegradability, hot-beverage preparation, Microplastics, Biodegradable plastics, Polyethylene Single-used paper cupsDOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.143620http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.143620
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