Microplastics and Nanoplastics Generated in Kitchen
摘要
Microplastics and nanoplastics have secretly entered our daily lives but the extent of the contamination problem is still unknown, because their characterisation is still a challenge, particularly for nanoplastics. Herein we select several case studies to confirm the generated microplastics and nanoplasticsin in our kitchens, released from the plastics products that we use daily. To effectively capture the microplastics and nanoplastics, we employ Raman analysis that can identify the plastics via the unique and characteristic spectrum, like their fingerprints. Using Raman imaging via hyper spectrum and various algorithms, we can visualise the microplastics and nanoplastics from chemical channel or window directly. We thus confirm that a significant amount of microplastics and nanoplastics can be released from kitchen plastics including dish sponge, chopping board, non-sick cooking ware, blender, and sealants. While we might be shocked by the presence of plastics wastes on the sea surface or at the plastics collection sites, microplastics and nanoplastics contamination is not far away from us and have entered our daily lives. Even we cannot see them under our naked eyes, they can be generated in our kitchens daily and contaminate our food directly and potentially. The risk is not yet clear but needs an urgent action.