Executive Summary : | Plastic pollution is a global issue, particularly concerning for thermoplastics used in food packaging due to their direct contact with human health, rapid fragmentation into micro-and nanoplastics (MP/NPs), and leaching of plastic additives. The fragmentation rate for many thermoplastics is unknown and requires immediate attention. To address this, researchers plan to study the fragmentation mechanism of food contact materials (FCMs) waste into MP/NPs under sunlight exposure. Small pieces of PE, PP, and PS will be placed in a rectangular chamber filled with deionized water, and experiments will be conducted under various conditions to determine which factors trigger more plastic into MP/NPs. Another challenge of plastic debris is the enrichment of chemical additives during fragmentation. Recent detection of chemicals in PE-based milk packaging for dairy commodities has motivated researchers to understand the rate and quantification of these chemicals in selected FCM polymers and exposed water. This data will help regulatory authorities monitor and implement standards for additives in FCMs. In response to health concerns, researchers propose photocatalytic degradation strategies for efficient removal of MP/NPs and migrating chemicals by sunlight-active graphene oxides (GO)-based nanocomposites. Reactive oxygen species will attack the structure of MP/NPs, breaking C-C bonds and converting them into short-chain metabolites or mineralized metabolites. Proposed nanomaterials will be synthesized using a green and sustainable approach, assessed for stability and reusability. The proposal will address risk assessment of MP/NPs, releasing additive chemicals, and their degradation by nanomaterials, benefiting the circular economy and the environment. |