Nanoplastics worsen heavy metal pollution, study finds

A new study reveals that nanoplastics from real-world plastic waste readily absorb heavy metal ions, potentially increasing their toxicity and environmental impact. Researchers found that nanoplastics, generated from common waste plastics like PET, PS, and PP, act as carriers for harmful metals such as lead and cadmium. This increases the bioavailability of these metals, posing greater health risks. The study highlights the need to understand nanoplastic-heavy metal interactions to mitigate pollution. The research used waste plastics to create nanoplastics, which then adsorbed heavy metals from their surroundings.