Characterizing the photodegradation-induced release of volatile organic compounds from bottled water containers  

作　　者：Ruijuan Liu Zhianqi Liao Jing Zheng Xinni Wu Zongyi Tan Huase Ou 

机构地区：[1]Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health,School of Environment,Jinan University,Guangzhou 511443,China [2]State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment,South China Institute of Environmental Sciences,Ministry of Ecology and Environment,Guangzhou 510655,China [3]Key Laboratory of Philosophy and Social Science in Guangdong Province of Community of Life for Man and Nature,Jinan University,Guangzhou 511443,China

出　　处：《Eco-Environment & Health》2024年第2期145-153,共9页生态环境与健康（英文）

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42377373);Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Zhuhai)(No.SML2021SP208).

摘　　要：While plastic water bottles are known to potentially release various volatile organic compounds(VOCs)when exposed to light,existing knowledge in this field remains limited.In this study,we systematically examined the composition,yield,and toxicity of VOCs released from six plastic containers obtained from different continents under UV-A and solar irradiation.After light exposure,all containers released VOCs,including alkanes,alkenes,alcohols,aldehydes,carboxylic acids,aromatics,etc.The 1#,3#,4#,5#,and 6#containers exhibited 35,32,19,24 and 37 species of VOCs,respectively.Specifically,the 2#container released 28 and 32 series of VOCs after 1-day(short-term)and 7-day(long-term)UV-A irradiation,respectively,compared to 30 and 32 species under solar irradiation.Over half of the VOCs identified were oxidized compounds alongside various short-chain hydrocarbons.Significant differences in VOC compositions among the containers were observed,potentially originating from light-induced aging and degradation of the polyethylene terephthalate structure in the containers.Toxicological predictions unveiled distinctive toxic characteristics of VOCs from each container.For example,among the various VOCs produced by the 2#container,straight-chain alkanes like n-hexadecane(544-76-3)were identified as the most toxic compounds.After long-term irradiation,the yield of these toxic VOCs from the 2#container ranged from 0.11 ng/g to 0.79 ng/g.Considering the small mass of a single bottle,the volatilization of VOCs from an individual container would be insignificant.Even after prolonged exposure to light,the potential health risks associated with inhaling VOCs when opening and drinking bottled water appear manageable.

关 键 词：Plastic contaminants Volatile organic compounds Drinking water safety SUNLIGHT ULTRAVIOLET 

分 类 号：X50[环境科学与工程—环境工程]