(637b) Elucidating the Role of Mechanical Forces in the Generation of Nanoplastics

Microplastics generation from plastic materials has emerged as one of the most challenging problems for human health in modern times. While microplastics pollution has been known for a few years now, the generation of nanoplastics and the adverse effects associated with nanoplastics have received less attention due to the difficulty of characterizing nanoplastics. However, nanoplastics are expected to cause significantly more health-related problems due to their ease of penetration to the body via ingestion and inhalation and their ability to enter cells and cross the blood-brain barrier, etc. Currently, the understanding of polymer physics pathways governing nanoplastics (and microplastics) generation and the structural architecture, and morphology of nanoplastics is not well understood. In this work, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms of nanoplastics generation from semi-crystalline and amorphous plastics under the effect of mechanical forces. We discuss the fragmentation pathways responsible for the generation of nanoplastics and their role in nanoplastics generation in bottled water, carbonated drinks, milk bottles, food packaging, etc. We discuss the possibility of the use of this knowledge to design plastics immune to the nanoplastics generation.