Microplastics: Toxicological risks and new recycling applications

Researchers are uncovering both the biological risks of microplastics and potential methods for recycling them. Scientists at Jiangxi Agricultural University have identified a ‘Trojan horse’ effect, where micro- and nanoplastics act as carriers for environmental toxins. These particles attract and bind to pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals, transporting them into living organisms. While larger fragments may remain in the digestive tract, nanoplastics can penetrate biological barriers to reach organs such as the liver, spleen, and brain.

In a separate development, researchers at Saitama University in Japan have successfully repurposed polyamide microplastics (nylon) into carbon quantum dots. Through hydrothermal carbonization, the plastic waste is broken down and restructured into nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm. When added to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), these dots create a transparent film capable of absorbing UV radiation, blocking approximately 73.1% of UVB and nearly 90% of UVC rays.