Article | Reporter Zhang Qingdan from China Science Daily

Nanoplastic pollution has become an increasingly prominent global environmental problem. The size of nanoplastics is much smaller than that of microplastics, and due to the lack of effective analytical techniques, people's understanding of nanoplastics is very limited.

Researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University in the United States have developed an optical imaging technology that for the first time counts and identifies nanoplastics. They found that each liter of bottled water contains approximately 240000 nanoplastic particles, which is 10-100 times higher than previous estimates based on larger particles. On January 9th, the relevant research results were published in the Journal of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States.

Microplastics with diameters ranging from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters are ubiquitous in polar glaciers, soil, drinking water, and food. Unlike natural organic compounds, most plastics cannot be decomposed into relatively harmless substances, but rather into smaller microplastic particles.

Nanoplastics originate from the further decomposition of microplastics, with a diameter less than 1 micrometer. Due to its extremely small size, it can pass through the large intestine and lungs, directly enter the human circulatory system, and then enter human organs such as the heart and brain. Nanoplastics can even penetrate the placenta and enter the fetal body.

"This is a new field that has not been fully explored. Previous research has mostly been based on speculating potential substances, while our research has opened a window for further exploration of this new world of nanoplastics." Yan Beizhan, an environmental chemist at Columbia University's Lamont Dolty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and the corresponding author of the paper, said in an interview with China Science Daily.

"Previously, methods for observing nanoparticles had been developed, but traditional methods could not provide information on the chemical composition of these particles." Qian Naixin, the first author of the paper and a doctoral student in chemistry at Columbia University, told the China Science Daily. "Previous studies analyzed all substances collected in water as a whole, and could not identify whether they were plastics or other substances based on counting individual particles."

This study utilized advanced stimulated Raman scattering microscopy technology, jointly developed by another corresponding author of the paper and Columbia University biophysicist Min Wei. Researchers created a data-driven algorithm to analyze this result for seven common types of nanoplastics and found that the mass proportion of nanoplastics is much lower than that of microplastics. But Min Wei believes, "What matters is not quality, but quantity. Although quality accounts for less, the smaller the particles, the easier it is for them to enter the human body."

By using this technology to detect bottled water, researchers have found that each liter of water may contain between 110000 and 370000 identifiable plastic particles, of which 90% are nanoplastics with diameters as small as 100 nanometers. They also determined which of the seven specific plastics these nanoplastics are, and these characteristics may be valuable in biomedical research. This study has the potential to bridge the knowledge gap in plastic pollution at the nanoscale.

For the future trend of bottled water for drinking, aluminum cans and bottles are more cost-effective

一、Environmental advantages

Aluminum cans and bottles are made of recyclable materials, which can be recycled and reused after use, thereby reducing waste of natural resources. In contrast, disposable packaging materials such as plastic bottles are often discarded casually after use, causing great pollution to the environment. Therefore, aluminum cans have significant advantages in environmental protection.

二、safety

In terms of safety, aluminum cans and plastic bottles each have their own advantages. Aluminum cans are relatively safe due to their stable metal material, which is not easily deformed or cracked. Plastic bottles are prone to deformation or release harmful substances under high temperature or light conditions, so attention should be paid when using them.

三、Strong durability

The sealing performance of aluminum cans is excellent, which can effectively ensure the freshness and taste of beverages. Meanwhile, due to the excellent ductility and toughness of aluminum, the compressive performance of aluminum cans and bottles is also very good, which can withstand large pressure and impact forces and is not easy to deform or break. This makes aluminum cans an ideal choice for storing and transporting beverages.

四、Diversified design

Aluminum cans and bottles have good processing and decorative properties, and can be personalized designed and decorated according to different needs. This not only meets consumers' demand for aesthetics, but also helps companies establish brand image and enhance product added value.

五、The choice of sustainable development

With the continuous improvement of people's awareness of environmental protection, more and more enterprises and consumers are paying attention to the sustainability of their products. As a recyclable packaging form, aluminum cans and bottles conform to the concept of sustainable development and are the future development trend of the packaging industry. The use of aluminum cans and bottles can not only reduce environmental pollution, but also lower production costs for enterprises and improve their competitiveness.

In short, as an environmentally friendly and convenient packaging form, aluminum cans and bottles have great advantages and development potential. With the continuous improvement of people's environmental awareness and the continuous innovation of packaging industry technology, aluminum cans and bottles will be more widely used and promoted. Let's take action together, choose aluminum cans and bottles, and make our own contribution to protecting the environment!

Why choose aluminum cans for hydrogen water？

一、Hydrogen molecules have strong penetrability, and ordinary plastic and glass materials cannot shut them down. At room temperature, hydrogen balloons can be filled through rubber and latex tubes. They often stay overnight and cannot fly the next day due to the reduced volume of air leakage. This is because hydrogen gas can drill through small holes on rubber that are invisible to the human eye. If we use common plastic bottles or bags on the market, by the time customers have them, the hydrogen molecules in the hydrogen water will have already run away and become ordinary water with little effect.

二、So in order to lock in hydrogen and increase the hydrogen retention of hydrogen water in the tank, high requirements are required for storage packaging. Aluminum alloy materials with strong sealing and good shading are needed, such as aluminum foil packaging or aluminum cans, to ensure the stability of hydrogen concentration in water during transportation and storage.

三、Compared to hydrogen water packaged in aluminum foil bags, the aluminum can packaging of Jie Jiucai hydrogen water not only has a more obvious hydrogen locking function, but also has the advantage of being more fashionable and beautiful, and more convenient to carry and store.

四、Ordinary aluminum foil bags are not suitable for travel and are prone to damage when placed inside. The thin material of aluminum foil bags is not suitable for long-term storage of hydrogen water, greatly reducing its shelf life. The material of aluminum cans is relatively hard, not easy to harden or be damaged, making it convenient for travel and carrying. The thick material of aluminum cans can effectively store hydrogen and water, and is not easy to deteriorate

五、Jiejiucai Hydrogen Enrichment Hydraulic Engineering uses physical methods to evenly wrap hydrogen molecules in water, making it contain strong reducing hydrogen and promoting stable binding between hydrogen and water. In terms of packaging, Jiejiucai Rich Hydrogen Water has always insisted on using aluminum cans for packaging, in order to ensure that every customer can drink safe and stable Jiejiucai Hydrogen Water

Automatic filling machine for hydrogen rich water cans

Kang Enquan hydrogen rich water can automatic filling machine. This filling machine integrates functions such as coding, water purification, sterilization, filling, and sealing, with a small footprint and simple operating procedures. The equipment is made of high-quality SUS304 stainless steel, which meets national and industry standards. The filling process adopts a sealed design and strict isolation from the outside, effectively avoiding the possibility of pollution and oxidation. While ensuring the hygiene requirements of filling, it also ensures the safety and purity of every drop of hydrogen rich water. The pneumatic actuators of the filling machine are also precisely controlled by electrical appliances to complete the filling process, with extremely high efficiency in quantitative and precision control. The Kangenquan can automatic filling machine is very suitable for customized hydrogen rich water, which can help customers become experts in hydrogen rich water customization and create a DIY brand for hydrogen rich water customization. The Kangenquan hydrogen rich water can automatic filling machine has not only been favored by domestic customers but also exported overseas.

相关论文信息：

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2300582121

《中国科学报》 (2024-01-10 第2版 国际）

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