Atmospheric emission of nanoplastics from sewer pipes repair

<p>Nanoplastic particles are inadequately characterized environmental pollutants with significant adverse effects on aquatic and atmospheric systems, causing detrimental effects to 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. Here, 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.</p>

用于下水道管道修复的通用技术会大规模释放悬浮于空气中的纳米塑料颗粒（nanoplastic particles），该类颗粒或对城市区域的环境与空气质量造成负面影响。