Acta Chimica Slovaca (ACS) publishes papers on fundamental and applied aspects of chemistry, biochemistry, chemical technology, chemical engineering and process control, biotechnology and food technology. Welcome are also topics which include chemical aspects of materials, physical chemistry and chemical physics, analytical chemistry, macromolecular chemistry and biomedical engineering.

Nanotextiles — materials suitable for respiratory tract protection but a source of nano- and microplastic particles in the environment

Petra Roupcová, Hana Kubátová a, Kateřina Bátrlová b, Karel Klouda c

VSB — Technical University of Ostrava, FBI, Lumírova 13, 700 30 Ostrava
a The State Office for Nuclear Safety, Senovážné náměstí 9, Prague 1
b Occupational Safety Research Institute, v.v.i., Jeruzalémská 9, 110 00 Prague 1
c Occupational Safety Research Institute, v.v.i., Jeruzalémská 9, 110 00 Prague 1; VSB — Technical University of Ostrava, FBI, Lumírova 13, 700 30 Ostrava

Abstract: The paper deals with the formation of nanomaterials (nanoparticles and nanofibers) in the manufacture and use of respiratory protective equipment. It focuses mainly on processes leading to the release of nanoplastics into the workplace and the environment. Based on selected properties of materials used for the manufacture of protective equipment, their stability in the environment is revealed. The paper demonstrates the impact on the environment considering semichronic phytotoxicity of nanoplastics.

Keywords: nanofiber, electrospinning, nonwovens, nanoparticles, respirator

Acta Chimica Slovaca, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2022, pp. 44—53, DOI: 10.2478/acs-2022-0006