Title:
Nanoplastic particles: can we find them in air?
Abstract:
Nanoplastic particles can enter the atmosphere due to their small size and be transported globally. There is a need to characterize these particles in situ and determine their airborne amounts in order to fully understand their environmental fate. In this work we study different sources of manmade polymeric particles. We developed methods to characterize these particles using online aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) and offline methods. The AMS mass spectra of PET particles showed prominent ions related to the monomers, dimers, and additives. Similarly, tire wear particles were analyzed by online AMS, but also by offline pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The mass spectra of tire wear particles resembled hydrocarbon-like material related to the polymers. Lastly we studied the combustion of plastic materials to represent wildland urban interface (WUI) fires. Particles are emitted in high amounts from smoldering plastics, but their physical properties are unique from plastic materials and suggest fast degradation in air.
Bio:
Arthur Chan is an associate professor in Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at University of Toronto. His group studies the chemical composition of atmospheric pollutants to understand their sources, transformations and impacts. Research interests focus on emerging organic compounds from sources such as nanoplastics, tire wear, cooking, wildfires and other non-regulated emissions.