Analysis of Nano-plastics in Drinking water

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Research conducted at the University of Toronto has demonstrated the ubiquitous nature of microplastics in drinking water; many of these particles are <45 µm and unable to be characterized by currently available equipment. The requested pyrolyzer will allow for chemical characterization of microplastics <10 µm, as well as nanoplastics (<1 µm) which are of particular concern due to their ability to translocate across the gut and accumulate in the blood stream and vital organs. This equipment will be used to examine the removal and fate of micro- and nanoplastics through municipal drinking waster treatment processes and be directly associated with training 6-10 HQP annually.******Microplastics have been observed in environmental samples and treated drinking water around the world. The majority of these plastics are small (<125 µm) and it suggested that an even greater number of “nano”- sized (<1um) particles may be present in treated drinking water. In addition to the aforementioned health risks associated with nanoplastic consumption, it is anticipated that these particles will also serve as vectors for transport of sorbed micropollutants due to their chemical properties and high surface area to mass ratio. The proposed research will focus on determining the concentration and characterization of nanoplastics in environmental samples and treated drinking water, as well as determining the efficiency of various conventional and advanced treatment processes for the removal of nanoplastics. Results of this research will be of great interest to water providers, as well as provincial and federal regulators who aim to minimize the risk that treated drinking water poses to consumers. In addition to characterizing nanoplastics, work will be conducted to apply “big data” or artificial intelligence methods to better analyze data, such that complex mixtures of compounds may be examined simultaneously. ******In order for water treatment system to be more completely studied, the requested pyrolyzer must be acquired such that the researchers can accurately characterize nano-sized plastic particles, allowing potential risk associated with their consumption to be better understood. **