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Plastic Toy Bricks are Creating Microplastic Pollution

Plastic building bricks, beloved by children, are known for sparking creativity and providing hours of play. However, recent research highlights a less desirable byproduct of these toys: significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastic particles. While the health risks of these particles remain unclear, their presence adds to the growing concern about indoor pollutants. Researchers now urge caution to prevent inhalation or ingestion of these tiny particles.

Micro- and nanoplastics are pervasive in the environment, originating from various everyday plastic items such as food packaging, cookware, carpets, clothes, and toys. Despite this, there is limited understanding of the sources and impacts of these particles. Until now, no one had considered toy-building bricks as a potential contributor to this issue.

Dr. Cheng Fang from the University of Newcastle in Australia led a study driven by both professional and personal curiosity. His research focuses on environmental pollutants, and observing his daughter’s play with building bricks raised questions about potential contamination. To investigate, his team examined new packets of plastic bricks, selecting 50 types and repeatedly assembling and disassembling them. Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), they documented the bricks before and after the simulated play. The SEM images revealed that while a few particles were present initially due to manufacturing, many more emerged after repeated use. Friction from connecting and disconnecting the bricks created scratches and scuffs, generating micro- and nano-sized particles, particularly at the tips and along the interlocking studs.

The team used Raman spectroscopy, enhanced by an algorithm to improve signal clarity, to identify the polymers making up these particles. The results showed that the particles were mainly acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate, common materials in toy bricks, including Lego. While generally considered safe, some studies suggest that fine particles and fumes from ABS could be toxic. The health risks of inhaling or ingesting micro- and nanoparticles from toys, however, remain an open question.

Pollution expert Fay Couceiro from the University of Portsmouth commended the novel methods for estimating nanoplastics in this study. Traditional spectroscopy methods often fail to detect such small particles, but this research offers promising new techniques. Both Couceiro and Fang agree that the toxicity of these particles in daily life needs further investigation.

To mitigate potential risks, Fang recommends supervising children during play with plastic bricks, ensuring they do not eat, suck their fingers, or drink during play, and washing their hands afterward. Couceiro emphasizes the need to understand the broader context of microplastic and nanoplastic Pollution. Comparing the release of these particles from building blocks to other sources and assessing their health risks is crucial for informing future regulations.