Size and amount of microplastics in toothpastes
Size and amount of microplastics in toothpastes Plastic particles in toothpaste were ~ 100x smaller than microbeads in facial scrubs 6 Authors: A. Verschoora, J. Herremansa, W. Peijnenburga, Ruud Petersb RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment, Centre for Safety of Products and Substances b Rikilt, Wageningen, The Netherlands a Published by National Institute for Public Health and the Environment P.O. Box 1 | 3720 BA Bilthoven www.rivm.nl Sample Visual appearance Control Classical white, smooth paste Transparent blue gel, no visible speckles Classical white , smooth paste Transparent green gel with tiny white speckles TP1 TP2 TP3 N×10 MP/g toothpaste none mg MP/ g toothpaste - Fraction <10 um - Median (measured) - none - - - 640 (510-800) 170 (130-230) 18.8 (14.1-25.0) 39.4 (27.8-55.0) 97% 2.3 µm 91% 5.0 µm In search of a threshold size The size of microplastics is considered as a potential criterion for restriction and enforcement. In order to set an effective threshold for microplastics in personal care and cosmetic products (PCCP’s) information of actual particle sizes is essential. Therefore, laboratory tests were performed on three toothpastes from different brands to investigate the size and amount of polyethylene speckles. In addition company information and public literature were collected regarding the size of microplastics in facial scrubs and bath glitters Consumption by higher organisms Discharge to STP Microplastics pathway Consumption by aquatic organisms Discharge to surface water Sedimentation Electron microscopic image of particles in toothpaste. PE particles have a light color. (Simplified) pathway of microplastics in the environment Policy implication Function of microplastics Microplastic particles in 2 out of 3 the tested toothpastes are abundant (2-4% on a weight basis) and much smaller (2-5 µm) than in facial scrubs (median size 200-400 µm, ref. 1) and glitter bath product (60 µm, ref. 2). From these results we conclude that a threshold (lower limit) value for microplastics of 1 µm would effectively restrict microplastics in toothpaste, facial ànd bath glitters. The manufacturers of the toothpastes indicated that they will phase-out microplastics this year (2014) on a voluntary basis. Microplastics are increasingly used in personal care and cosmetic products; for example in rinse-off products such as soap, shower and bath products, facial cleaners and toothpaste. The main reason to add microplastics in these products is their abrasive or polishing effect, and sometimes also shimmering effect. When rinsed into the sewage system, these particles have shown to pass the sewage treatment plants and enter the surface water, where they are consumed by aquatic organisms. Method References The toothpastes were suspended in water. Microparticles were isolated by filtration over a coated microfilter with pores of approximately 1 µm. The particle size distribution of the microparticles is determined by analysis of the microfilter by scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM). Microplastics were distinguished from mineral particles (for example SiO2 or TiO2 that are often present in toothpaste) by an energy dispersive x-ray detector (EDX). Through image analysis, a particle size distribution was made for particles between 1 and 1000 µm. The chemical identity of the polymeric microparticles was determined separately with Fourier-Transform-Infrarood (FT-IR). Ref 1. Fendall, L.S. and M.A. Sewell, 2009, Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: Microplastics in facial cleansers. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 58(8): 1225-1228. Ref 2. Leslie, H., 2012, Microplastic in Noordzee zwevend stof en cosmetica. IVM, Report no. W-12/01, Amsterdam, 19 pag. ( in Dutch) 007514 Microplastics are persistent The ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the aquatic environment has to deal with many uncertainties in relation to fate and effects. However, the large-scale presence and persistence of (micro)plastics are undebated and from a precautionary point of view, actions to reduce plastic debris and microplastics are taken world-wide.
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