Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are recognized as emerging contaminants, especially in food, with unknown health significance. MNPs passing through the gastrointestinal tract have been brought in context with disruption of the gut microbiome. Several molecular mechanisms have been described to facilitate tissue uptake of MNPs, which then are involved in local inflammatory and immune responses. Furthermore, MNPs can act as potential transporters ("vectors") of contaminants and as chemosensitizers for toxic substances ("Trojan Horse effect"). In this review, we summarize current multidisciplinary knowledge of ingested MNPs and their potential adverse health effects. We discuss new insights into analytical and molecular modeling tools to help us better understand the local deposition and uptake of MNPs that might drive carcinogenic signaling. We present bioethical insights to basically re-consider the "culture of consumerism." Finally, we map out prominent research questions in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The main focus of this work is to investigate the degradation behavior of two newly developed encapsulants for photovoltaic applications (thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyolefin elastomer (POE)), compared to the most widely used Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) upon exposure to two different artificial ageing tests (with and without ultraviolet (UV) irradiation). Additive composition, optical and thermal properties and chemical structure (investigated by means of Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry, UV-Visible-Near Infrared spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy, respectively) of the analyzed polymers were monitored throughout the exposure to artificial ageing tests. Relevant signs of photo-oxidation were detectable for TPO after the UV test, as well as a depletion of material's stabilizers. Signs of degradation for EVA and POE were detected when the UV dose applied was equal to 200 kW h m-2. A novel approach is presented to derive information of oxidation induction time/dose from thermogravimetric measurements that correlate well with results obtained by using oxidation indices.
