A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 9 MICROPLASTICS IN COOKWARE International collaborators from Newcastle University, U.K., and Flinders University, Australia, conducted a study to measure how millions of tiny plastic particles potentially come off during cooking and in the wash as nonstick pots and pans gradually lose their coating. Researchers report that one surface crack on a Teflon-coated pan can release about 9100 plastic particles. And at a microscale, using Raman spectroscopy and an algorithm model, scientists identified the release of 2.3 million microplastics and nanoplastics from broken coating. “The nonstick coating material Teflon is generally a family member of PFAS,” explains Newcastle researcher Cheng Fang. “Given the fact PFAS is a big concern, these Teflonmicroparticles in our food might be a health concern, [which] needs investigating because we don’t know much about these emerging contaminants.” The study developed a molecular spectrum approach to directly visualize and identify the Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics, which are more difficult to monitor than other plastics. Researchers say their work highlights the need to gain insights into the threat of Teflon plastic debris during daily cooking. “It gives us a strong warning that we must be careful about selecting and using cooking utensils to avoid food contamination,” the researchers continue. “More research is recommended to address the risk assessment of the Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics.” www.ncl. ac.uk, www.flinders.edu.au. SEM and Raman imaging of Teflon pans reveal the millions of microplastics and nanoplastics that might be released during cooking. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158293. ASM HANDBOOK VOLUMES 2A & 2B ALUMINUM SET asminternational.org PURCHASE THIS TWO-VOLUME SET AT A SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICE! The set includes ASM Handbooks, Volume 2A: Aluminum Science and Technology and Volume 2B: Properties and Selection of Aluminum Alloys.
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