Source Characterization and Quantification of Atmospheric Nanoplastics

MICHAEL TAWADROUS, Arthur W. H. Chan, Alex Lee, University of Toronto

     Abstract Number: 302
     Working Group: Aerosol Chemistry

Abstract
Since the creation of the first fully synthetic plastic in 1907, billions of tonnes of plastics pollutants have been released into the environment. Owing to its long lifetime, plastic debris is readily transported and accumulates in various environmental compartments even in the most remote areas. Bioaccumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) and their associated chemical additives could occur in organisms including humans upon ingestion/inhalation causing cytotoxicity. In this study, we aim to measure the physicochemical characteristics of airborne NPs in indoor and outdoor environments. Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) are used to characterize size and bulk composition in situ, and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is used to characterize polymer composition and their chemical additives in offline filter samples. The plastic particles are collected from a 3D printer in a closed chamber. Different printing filament types are used to generate particles under different printing temperature. The initial results show that particles generated from the 3D printer using ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) reached about 19,000 p/cc. Information from AMS mass spectra and Py-GC/MS are discussed in greater detail. Furthermore, a tube furnace is used to generate a steady stream of particles that are characterized by mass spectrometry. Detecting degradation products from NPs and the changes in composition from atmospheric aging will help in understanding the impact of NPs abiotic degradation on the environment and human health.