https://fr.sputniknews.com/20220215/harmful-compounds-found-in-reusable-plastic-bottles-including-70-are-unknown-1055154879.html
Harmful compounds found in reusable plastic bottles, 70% of which are unknown
Harmful compounds found in reusable plastic bottles, 70% of which are unknown
Reusable plastic sports bottles contaminate water with hundreds of potentially toxic substances, researchers find… 15.02.2022, Sputnik International
2022-02-15T06:40+0100
2022-02-15T06:40+0100
2022-02-15T06:40+0100
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Reusable plastic sports bottles are widely used around the world, but people don’t think about chemicals migrating from the bottles into drinking water, says a new study that has recorded potentially toxic substances contaminating drinking water. water in such bottles. The substances produced in the reusable bottles are potentially dangerous to human health, according to the authors of the new study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. After 24 hours during their work, the chemists took new drinking water bottles and used. They filled them with clean tap water and left them for 24 hours. Scientists examined the chemical composition of the resulting liquid. They used mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. The experiment was carried out with unwashed, hand-washed and dishwasher-safe bottles. More than 400 different compounds and more than 3,500 detergent-derived substances were found in the water. Most of them are not studied and have not yet been identified. The toxicity of approximately 70% of the compounds is still unknown. Which compounds are identified? Among the molecules obtained, photoinitiators, compounds used in the ink of many types of food packaging, are molecules that create reactive particles, including free radicals, cations or anions, when exposed to UV or visible radiation. They can cause serious damage to cells in the body. Scientists have also found other harmful compounds, including diethyltoluamide. Not all of these compounds are part of plastic bottles, but are formed as they break down during use, storage and washing. A replacement for plastic? Previously, Chinese scientists have developed a new method of producing protein-based plastic that is easily processable, biodegradable, biocompatible and has high mechanical properties. To produce it, it is necessary to use as materials two structural proteins, rich in lysine. The result is a strong, transparent and solvent-resistant bioplastic. According to the Chinese study, this new non-toxic bioplastic can be used in the manufacture of toys, which can then be tinted with food coloring.
2022
Julia Belyakova
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Julia Belyakova
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Julia Belyakova
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bottle, sport, research, water
Reusable plastic sports bottles contaminate water with hundreds of potentially toxic substances, according to a finding by chemists at the University of Copenhagen. Researchers have pointed out that certain identified substances are not used during the production of the bottles.
“The objective of our study was to detect and identify compounds that migrate from reusable plastic sports bottles to drinking water stored in the bottles for 24 hours using NTS analysis. The experiment was designed to be as close as possible to typical consumer use. New bottles, as well as bottles that had been used regularly for water during sports for approximately one year, were studied,” the researchers wrote.
After 24 hours
The scientists examined the chemical composition of the resulting liquid. They used mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. The experiment was performed with unwashed, hand-washed, and dishwasher-safe bottles.
“We were struck by the sheer number of chemicals found in the water after being in the bottle for 24 hours. Hundreds of compounds, including some that have never been found in plastic and some that can be harmful to health. And after the wash cycle, thousands of compounds,” said Jan Christensen of the University of Copenhagen.
Over 400 different compounds and over 3,500 substances derived from detergents have been found in the water. Most of them are not studied and have not yet been identified. The toxicity of about 70% of the compounds is still unknown.
What compounds are identified?
Among the molecules obtained, photoinitiators, compounds used in the ink of many types of food packaging, are molecules that create reactive particles, including free radicals, cations or anions, when exposed to a UV or visible radiation. They can cause serious damage to cells in the body. Scientists have also found other harmful compounds, including diethyltoluamide.
Not all of these compounds are part of plastic bottles, but are formed as they break down during use, storage and washing.
A replacement for plastic?
Previously, Chinese scientists have developed a new method of producing protein-based plastic that is easily processed, biodegradable, biocompatible and has high mechanical properties. To produce it, it is necessary to use as materials two structural proteins, rich in lysine. The result is a strong, transparent and solvent-resistant bioplastic. According to the Chinese study, this new non-toxic bioplastic can be used in the manufacture of toys, which can then be tinted with food coloring.